Biden says Jackson will bring ‘uncompromising integrity’ to Supreme Court

President Biden introduced Kentanji Brown Jackson as his nominee to serve on the Supreme Court on Friday, describing her as a person of tremendous intellect and character who would bring an “independent mind” and “uncompromising integrity” to the high court.  

“It’s my honor to introduce to the country a daughter of former public school teachers, a proven consensus builder, an accomplished lawyer, a distinguished jurist on one of the nation’s most prestigious courts,” Biden said in remarks from the White House Friday afternoon.  

Biden acknowledged the historic nature of the nomination. If confirmed, Jackson will be the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court.  

“For too long, our government, our courts haven’t looked like America,” Biden said. “And I believe it’s time that we have a court that reflects the full talent and greatness of our nation with a nominee of extraordinary qualifications. And that we inspire all young people to believe that they can one day serve their country at the highest level.”  

The White House announced Friday morning that Biden had chosen Jackson to replace Justice Stephen Breyer, capping a month-long selection process and kicking off a confirmation battle in the Senate.  

The event Friday afternoon offered Biden an opportunity to introduce his choice to America. Jackson also delivered her own remarks during the event, thanking Biden for the “extraordinary honor” of the nomination and thanking God for guiding her to this point in her life.

“If I am fortunate enough to be confirmed as the next associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, I can only hope that my life and career, my love of this country and the Constitution, and my commitment to upholding the rule of law and the sacred principles upon which this great nation was founded will inspire future generations of Americans,” Jackson said.  

Biden made a point during his remarks to note that Jackson received bipartisan support in the Senate when confirmed three times before, including to her current position on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. 

Biden also described the selection process, during which he sought advice from Republicans and Democrats as well as legal scholars and Vice President Harris, herself a former lawyer.  

Biden touted Jackson’s experience as a federal public defender and in private practice. He said she would join Justice Sonia Sotomayor as one of two Supreme Court justices with trial court experience.   

Biden said he hoped the Senate would move quickly to advance her nomination, noting his engagements with Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and ranking member Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa).

“My hope is that they will move promptly, and I know they will move fairly,” Biden said. 

Updated at 3:05 p.m.