United States: Judge Kentanji Brown Jackson faces Republican attacks

Ketanji Brown Jackson, the judge appointed to the Supreme Court by Joe Biden, facing the Senate, March 22, 2022. © Carolyn Kaster/AP

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2 mins

Confirmation hearings for Judge Kentanji Brown Jackson continue before the Senate Judiciary Committee in Washington.

The 51-year-old African-American, nominated by Joe Biden to sit on the Supreme Court, began answering questions from senators on Tuesday.

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With our correspondent in Washington,

American news channels don't miss a thing.

All day and even into the evening, the one who should be the first black woman to sit in the highest American court answers the questions put to her on her philosophy of law, on the decisions she has rendered as a judge or on her career as a lawyer.

Republicans attack on all fronts

While the Democrats praise her qualities, the Republicans attack on all fronts: her defense of Guantanamo detainees as a legal aid lawyer, her political supporters or the influence of her religious beliefs.

The most conservative ask her to justify herself on her judgments, which they consider too lenient against people whom she has nevertheless condemned for child pornography.

This is the case of the elected trumpist of Missouri Josh Hawley or the Texan Ted Cruz.

Partisan exercise

The latter studied law with Ketanji Brown Jackson.

They obviously didn't remain very good friends.

He also accuses him of embracing critical race theory, studied at university level, but which Republicans claim is taught in school.

It has become one of their electoral arguments.

The candidate chosen by Joe Biden explains that the job of a judge is not to play politics.

That is the job of senators.

Which are obviously happy to engage in this partisan exercise and to experience the calm of Ketanji Brown Jackson.

The hearings continue this Wednesday in the Senate.

►Also read: Press review of the Americas - Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson put to the test by the US Senate

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