The White House defended Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson’s judicial philosophy, her popularity with the public, and her sentencing record in child pornography cases after tough questioning from Republican senators during her confirmation hearings.
Deputy press secretary Andrew Bates read the statement at the beginning of Monday’s press briefing, stepping in with top spokesperson Jen Psaki as top deputy Karine Jean-Pierre is sidelined by COVID-19 cases.
SENATE REPUBLICANS PUSH BACK VOTE TO APPROVE JACKSON FOR SUPREME COURT BY A WEEK
“Judge Jackson reminded the country of why the president chose her and why she has been endorsed by conservative judges, the Fraternal Order of Police, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, dozens of police chiefs and sheriffs who lead many of the busiest departments in the U.S., and 83 former state attorneys general from both parties,” Bates said.
He cited polls showing voters support Jackson and said she has the highest level of support since Chief Justice John Roberts was nominated in 2005, suggesting the two share a similar judicial philosophy of serving as referees who decide cases based on law and fact.
Jackson continues meeting with senators this week ahead of a vote on her nomination.
“Judge Jackson responded to Republicans’ request for in-person meetings by promising to sit down with any member who wanted to,” Bates said. “She is honoring that promise.”
The deputy press secretary said Republicans questioning her record in child pornography cases are engaging in “bad-faith attacks,” pointing to judges appointed by former President Donald Trump who had similar sentencing histories.
Republican criticism of Jackson centered on questions about her sentencing record first raised by Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley on the eve of her committee hearings. Hawley claimed Jackson ruled leniently in her past sentences for convicted child pornographers in comparison to the recommended guidelines by the U.S. Sentencing Commission.
The Senate Judiciary Committee is now slated to report Jackson’s nomination to the 100-member Senate on April 4. The Senate will hold a full vote on Jackson’s nomination on or before April 11, when senators are scheduled to begin their spring break.
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Bates did not take questions after reading the statement.
