Former GOP Speaker Paul Ryan praises relative Ketanji Brown Jackson’s nomination to the Supreme Court
The conservative former House Speaker is related to Joe Biden’s Supreme Court nomination by marriage.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Former House Speaker Paul Ryan praised his distant relative Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson upon President Joe Biden nominating her to the Supreme Court.
Ms Jackson is married to surgeon Patrick Jackson, whose twin brother married Dana Little Jackson, Mr Ryan’s wife.
“Janna and I are incredibly happy for Ketanji and her entire family,” he tweeted. “Our politics may differ, but my praise for Ketanji's intellect, for her character, and for her integrity, is unequivocal.”
Mr Ryan introduced her during her confirmation hearing in 2013 during her confirmation to be a US District Judge.
The former Wisconsin congressman served in the House from 1999 to 2019 and as House Speaker from 2015 to 2019, when he retired from Congress. He also was Mitt Romney’s running mate when Mr Romney was the Republican presidential nominee in 2012. The Romney-Ryan ticket lost to Barack Obama and Mr Biden, who was then vice president.
Mr Biden announced Ms Jackson’s nomination to replace Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer after media reports said he would make the nomination by the end of the week.
“Judge Jackson is an exceptionally qualified nominee as well as an historic nominee, and the Senate should move forward with a fair and timely hearing and confirmation,” he said on Friday.
Ms Jackson was one of the three potential nominees, along with Judge J Michelle Childs, a US district court judge for District of South Carolina, and Leondra Kruger, an associate justice on California’s supreme court.
The nomination comes after Mr Breyer announced he would step down from the court at the end of last month. Mr Biden had pledged he would announce a nominee by the end of February.
The announcement comes ahead of Mr Biden’s first State of the Union address and as the Senate reconvenes after a brief recess. Mr Biden had pledged on the campaign trail to nominate a Black woman to the Supreme Court, as a Black woman had never served on the bench.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments