Roberts wished him a long and happy career in their “joint calling,” and President Biden and Vice President Harris, along with their wives, were front row. They met privately with the judges before the ceremony, which started late and lasted only five minutes. The court’s new term begins on Monday.
The scripted ceremony gave Jackson — or anyone else — no opportunity to comment.
But at an event later in the day at the Library of Congress, she appeared to become emotional as she reflected on what she said has been an outpouring of support since her confirmation in the spring. She said she was humbled by the “fanfare” that accompanied her rise to the High Court, and that young people “see themselves represented in me”.
“I can see it in their eyes, I can hear it in their voice,” Jackson said. “They say, ‘This is what we can accomplish if we put our minds to it.’ ”
She added: “They tell me, in essence, you, ‘You go girl.’ They say, ‘invisible no more. We see you and we are with you.’
Jackson received a standing ovation when she said, “I have a seat at the table now. I have a seat at the table now, and I’m ready to work.
At the Supreme Court ceremony, Jackson, the 116th justice and only the sixth woman, awaited the oath in a chair used by Chief Justice John Marshall in the early 19th century. Behind her were her two daughters and her husband, Patrick, who wore socks with the image of his wife.
The crowded courtroom contained relatives, fellow judges and some of the country’s political leaders. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-California) attended, as well as former Speaker of the House Paul D. Ryan, a Republican related to Jackson by marriage.
Another unique moment in Washington: Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, were seated directly in front of Virginia Thomas, the wife of Judge Clarence Thomas, the other black member of the court. Ginni Thomas testified Thursday before the House committee investigating the January 6, 2021 U.S. Capitol riot, answering questions about her efforts to challenge the election of Biden and Harris.
And Attorney General Merrick Garland formally introduced Jackson’s commission. Had the Republican-led Senate acted when President Barack Obama nominated him to the Supreme Court in 2016, he might have been on the other side of the bench. Instead, the Senate left the seat open to the winner of the election, and President Donald Trump nominated Neil M. Gorsuch.
After the ceremony, Roberts accompanied the new justice to the famous marble steps of the Supreme Court, where crowds raised their phones to record a historic moment. The two did not speak to the gathered reporters and photographers. Roberts left Jackson alone for a while so the photographers could take pictures of her alone, then Patrick Jackson joined her. The two kissed and held hands.
Jackson’s replacement of his mentor, Justice Stephen G. Breyer, will not change the court’s 6-3 conservative majority. But this has a dramatic effect on the demographics of the court. For the first time, the court will include four women, two black judges and white men will no longer be in the majority.
