Sen. Tom Cotton, R- Ark., questioned Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as the Senate Judiciary Committee continued its Supreme Court confirmation hearings March 23.
In his questioning Wednesday, the senator focused on Jackson’s sentencing in child pornography cases, as well as her work with several Guantanamo Bay detainees both as a public defender and lawyer at a private law firm. Cotton asked her whether the country would be more or less safe if all the detainees of Guantanamo Bay were released.
“America would be less safe if we don’t have terrorists out running around attacking this country. Absolutely,” she said. “America would also be more safe in a situation in which all of our constitutional rights are protected. This is the way our scheme works. This is how the Constitution that we all love operates.”
Jackson was assigned four cases regarding Guantanamo Bay detainees as a federal public defender. She also worked with one of those same clients as a lawyer at a private firm she worked at. Cotton asked about that connection, and Jackson said it was a coincidence.
Wednesday was senators’ final day to question Jackson, who was nominated by President Joe Biden in February to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer. If confirmed, she will be the first Black woman on the high court. On the final day of the hearings March 24, the Senate Judiciary Committee will hear from friends and colleagues of Jackson about her temperament and approach to the law.
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