Investigation Sought into Judge Jackson’s Grammy Attendance
Chief Justice John Roberts of the U.S. Supreme Court is facing a request to investigate Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, who was present at the recent Grammy Awards that featured a number of anti-ICE remarks.
Jackson attended the event because he was involved as the narrator for the audiobook of his memoir. It’s worth noting that he was described as a “wonderful person.”
However, as the night unfolded, it became clear that anti-ICE sentiments were a primary focus. Reportedly, Jackson applauded when speakers criticized U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sharply.
Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, has urged Chief Justice Roberts to look into whether Jackson’s behavior goes against the Supreme Court’s code of conduct, particularly regarding recusal requirements in certain cases.
In a letter to Roberts on Thursday, Blackburn remarked that while it’s not unusual for Supreme Court justices to attend public events, it’s “extremely rare” for a justice to participate in one that promotes such a far-left agenda.
She highlighted the “ICE-OUT” pins worn by various artists and noted some strong anti-ICE remarks during the show. One Grammy winner even began their acceptance speech with, “Before I say thank God, I’m going to say ‘ICE OUT.'”
The comment in question came from Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny, who stirred up much conversation when he was picked to perform at the Super Bowl halftime show, receiving significant applause for his bold statements.
Blackburn also pointed out singer Billie Eilish’s declarations, including phrases like “No one is illegal on stolen land” and “Forget ICE.” These were just part of the intense law enforcement criticisms echoed throughout the evening, she noted, emphasizing that Judge Jackson was present for the whole event.
On Wednesday, columnist Miranda Devine mentioned that Jackson had remarked about the crowd’s reactions, saying, “Every time I went on stage, the crowd laughed and clapped while a bunch of virtue enthusiasts chanted ‘Forget ICE.'”
In her correspondence, Blackburn urged Roberts to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into whether Judge Jackson’s presence at such events complies with the Supreme Court’s integrity and impartiality standards.
Blackburn’s request also underscored a concern about apparent double standards surrounding Jackson, who was appointed by President Joe Biden.
In her letter, she stated, “Democrats and traditional media have long accused Republican-appointed justices of corruption and partisanship.” She recalled instances when Senators Durbin and Whitehouse pressured Judge Alito to recuse himself from cases related to the 2020 election simply based on personal connections.
Blackburn mentioned additional claims regarding Judge Thomas’s ethics, asserting that these were exaggerated attempts to influence the court’s decisions.
She stated, “Unlike these unfounded allegations against Justices Alito and Thomas, there’s a genuine concern about Judge Jackson’s involvement in such politically charged and anti-law enforcement events.” She emphasized that court rules might require her to recuse herself from cases involving law enforcement.
Blackburn concluded by stressing the urgency for an investigation into Jackson’s impartiality concerning immigration matters before the court.
Finally, it’s noteworthy that during her nomination in 2022, President Biden cited Jackson’s race and gender as significant factors in her selection.
There’s also an interesting backstory between Blackburn and Jackson. During the 2022 confirmation hearings, Blackburn famously asked Jackson to “define the word ‘woman,'” to which Jackson replied, “I can’t do that,” later adding, “I’m not a biologist.”
