Those who were fortunate enough to be on the Senate floor or in the gallery on Thursday afternoon, when the Senate voted to confirm Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as the next Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, and those who were on the South Lawn of the White House at the ceremony marking her ascension to the Court – the first Black woman to sit on the Court in its 233 year history – will never forget what they witnessed.
Decades from now, they will say to family and friends, “I was there that day, when the vote was taken, when Justice Jackson spoke of her life, her commitment, her gratitude and her love of America.”
As President Biden said at the White House:
“To turn to our children and grandchildren and say, I was there. I was there. That — this is one of those moments, in my view.”
BIDEN AND BROWN JACKSON
It was a great day. It could not be ruined by the Senate Republicans filing out of their chamber, walking slowly to the eruption of cheers that seemed not to end, with only Mitt Romney of Utah, the Republican nominee for president against Barack Obama in 2012, standing at his seat and clapping at what had been achieved.
It was a moment that could not be diminished even by an iota by the words of Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, who slandered Judge Jackson on the floor:
Republican Leader Mitch McConnell
“When it came to one of the most consequential decisions a president can make, a lifetime appointment to our highest court, the Biden administration let the radicals run the show. The far left got the reckless inflationary spending they wanted. The far left has gotten the insecure border they wanted. And today, the far left will get the Supreme Court justice they wanted.”
A scholar of the Senate wrote me: “McConnell is always himself. It is not enough that he shredded all norms to stack the Court. He also had to rewrite the history and trash Judge Jackson.”
It was the only way the Republicans could justify to themselves the vote they had taken and the moral standing they had lost.
President Biden understood the transcendence at work here:
“When I made the commitment to nominate a Black woman to the Supreme Court, I could see this day. I literally could see this day, because I thought about it for a long, long time. As Jill and Naomi would tell you, I wasn’t going to run again.”
Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson speaks after President Joe Biden announced Jackson as his nominee to the Supreme Court in the Cross Hall of the White House, Friday, Feb. 25, 2022, in Washington. Vice President Kamala Harris listens at right. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
“But when I decided to run, this was one of the first decisions I made. I could see it. I could see it as a day of hope, a day of promise, a day of progress; a day when, once again, the moral arc of the universe, as Barack used to quote all the time, bends just a little more toward justice.”
And if anyone doubts how the President feels about the Vice President and whether she has his trust and support – and there has been a lot of chatter about that – this is how Biden opened his remarks about the person who successfully shepherded this nomination through the Senate :
“Thank you, Kamala. Thank you, thank you, thank you. The first really smart decision I made in this administration.”
And he added a little later:
“And that’s why I’m proud that Kamala Harris is our Vice President of the United States. (Applause.) A brilliant lawyer. The Attorney General of the State of California. Former member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Kamala was invaluable during this entire process.”
The VP is in with the P.
Finally there were these words from Judge Jackson:
Ketanji Brown Jackson made history last week, as US Senators voted to confirm her to the nation’s highest court.
“It has taken 232 years and 115 prior appointments for a Black woman to be selected to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States. But we’ve made it. We’ve made it, all of us. All of us.”
And then this:
I can’t stop watching this six second video of Ketanji Brown Jackson moments after her history-making confirmation to the US Supreme Court pic.twitter.com/MYMjiCwJXQ
“But no one does this on their own. The path was cleared for me so that I might rise to this occasion.
And in the poetic words of Dr. Maya Angelou, I do so now, while “bringing the gifts…my ancestors gave “I am the dream and the hope of the slave.”
So as I take on this new role, I strongly believe that this is a moment in which all Americans can take great pride.
We have come a long way toward perfecting our union.
In my family, it took just one generation to go from segregation to the Supreme Court of the United States.”
These days are now indelible.
And her journey is not over.
It may be, years from now, that a future President will seek to appoint Associate Justice Jackson to become Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. The dream and the hope are alive.
Bruce Wolpe is a Ticker News US political contributor. He’s a Senior Fellow at the US Studies Centre and has worked with Democrats in Congress during President Barack Obama's first term, and on the staff of Prime Minister Julia Gillard. He has also served as the former PM's chief of staff.
CEOs warn tariffs are harming planning, raising costs, and reducing consumer spending, leading to uncertain economic forecasts.
In Short
U.S. company CEOs, including those from American Airlines and Procter & Gamble, are worried about the negative effects of changing tariff policies on their businesses and consumer behaviour.
Many industries anticipate increased costs, potential price hikes for consumers, and a slowdown in economic growth due to uncertainty in tariff regulations.
CEOs from major U.S. companies, including American Airlines and Procter & Gamble, are expressing concerns about the impact of shifting tariff policies on their businesses and consumer behaviour.
Travel has already been affected, with airlines revising their full-year outlooks due to softer leisure travel as uncertainty looms. Procter & Gamble is contemplating price increases on some products in response to these tariffs.
Major automotive groups have urged President Trump to reconsider the 25% tariff on car parts, citing significant increases in costs for consumers. American Airlines’ CEO, Robert Isom, noted that hiring and expansion plans may be curtailed due to the unpredictable economic environment.
Harming investment
CEOs from various sectors, including finance and aviation, highlighted how the instability in tariff regulations is harming investment and economic growth. Some consumers are already reacting by purchasing big-ticket items prematurely, fearful of future price hikes.
Telecom executives from Verizon and AT&T indicated they cannot entirely absorb the costs associated with tariffs, leading to inevitable price increases for consumers. Similarly, home builders like PulteGroup anticipate rising costs for new homes due to tariff-related expenses on materials.
While some executives support certain tariffs, many are concerned about the long-term effects on their operations and the economy as a whole. The International Monetary Fund also projects a slowdown in global growth as a result of these tariff policies.
Trump urges Putin to cease attacks on Ukraine following deadly missile strike on Kyiv, killing 12 and injuring 90.
In Short
A missile and drone attack on Kyiv killed 12 and injured 90, prompting Trump to urge Putin for a peace deal amid escalating tensions.
Ukraine seeks an unconditional cease-fire, but ongoing strikes and unacceptable Russian conditions raise concerns over future peace negotiations.
In a recent missile and drone attack on Kyiv, 12 individuals were killed and 90 injured, marking the most severe air assault this year.
U.S. President Trump responded by urging Russian President Putin to halt attacks and pursue a peace agreement. He expressed concern over the loss of life, highlighting that 5,000 soldiers perish weekly.
The attack involved over 200 missiles and drones and targeted critical Ukrainian industries. Trump’s frustration has increased as peace talks stagnate, with him also critiquing Ukrainian President Zelensky for dismissing a peace proposal that would legally recognise Russian control over Crimea.
Peace deadline
Despite Trump’s previous reluctance to criticise Putin, the attack shifted his stance. He has signaled a deadline for both Russia and Ukraine to reach a peace deal while the U.S. contemplates the extent of its involvement in negotiations.
Ukraine seeks an unconditional cease-fire, but Russia’s conditions remain unacceptable to Kyiv. A recent U.S. proposal would allow Russia to retain substantial territory and would limit Ukraine’s NATO aspirations.
Zelensky accused Russian forces of terrorism, attacking civilian areas and inciting widespread destruction, while Trump acknowledged the challenges of restoring Crimea to Ukraine.
The situation continues to escalate, with ongoing strikes on civilian infrastructure, drawing international attention and condemnation. As rescue workers clear debris from the latest attack, uncertainties remain about the future of peace talks and the safety of Ukrainian citizens.
Trump targets migrant gangs with deportation crackdown
Trump advocates for strong immigration enforcement to restore law and order, warns against court-blocked deportations, and labels gangs as terrorist organizations.
Trump advocates for strong immigration enforcement to restore law and order, warns against court-blocked deportations, and labels gangs as terrorist organizations.
Former President Donald Trump says his administration is committed to restoring law and order through aggressive immigration enforcement.
He warns that dangerous consequences could unfold if courts block mass deportations.
Trump has labelled several gangs, including Tren de Aragua, as foreign terrorist organisations, and is pushing for faster judicial cooperation.
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