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US President Joe Biden celebrated the historic confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court as the first Black woman to sit on the bench. During the White House event celebrating Jackson’s confirmation, the US leader also ripped into the Senate GOP for their attempted smears on Jackson.
The Biden administration celebrated Jackson’s Senate confirmation at the White House South Lawn. The US leader praised Jackson for being able to move forward despite the numerous attacks by Republican senators that he also described as “harassment.” Biden said that Jackson powered through the “verbal abuse,” the “anger,” and the “constant interruptions,” including “the most vile, baseless assertions and accusations.”
“In the face of it all, Judge Jackson showed the incredible character and integrity she possesses,” said Biden, who went on to praise the soon-to-be Supreme Court Justice for her “poise and composure, patience and restraint, and yes, perseverance, and even joy.”
Jackson will be succeeding retiring liberal Justice Stephen Breyer and will be the third Black American to serve at the country’s highest court. Jackson’s confirmation will not change the ideological structure of the court, as the Supreme Court currently has a conservative 6-3 majority.
Jackson was confirmed on a bipartisan vote as three Republican senators: Mitt Romney, Lisa Murkowski, and Susan Collins, voted along with Democrats, effectively breaking the deadlock.
In other related news, US intelligence officials have warned that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin may decide to interfere in the upcoming midterm elections this year due to Biden’s pro-Ukraine stance.
Officials with knowledge of the matter told the Associated Press that while there is no evidence that Putin may decide to interfere again in the country’s elections, Putin may have an incentive to do so with Biden’s support for Ukraine.
“Our Election Threats Executive continues to lead the Intelligence Community’s efforts against foreign threats to US elections,” said the spokesperson for Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines in a statement to the outlet. “We’re also continuing to work to deliver on the legislative requirement to create a center to integrate intelligence on foreign malign influence.”
This comes amidst the sets of sanctions imposed on Russia by the US and many other countries for its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. The Biden administration also imposed sanctions on Russia last year in response to its efforts to interfere in the 2020 elections and cyberattacks.
