On the second day of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation hearing to the Supreme Court, the esteemed jurist got a double whammy of questioning from the two senators from Texas that sit on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Neither John Cornyn nor Ted Cruz had the best interest of Texans at heart, but Brown Jackson remained calm and collected as she attempted to navigate their crazy nonsense.
Cornyn was up first and demanded to know why Judge Jackson had called George W. Bush and Donald Rumsfeld “war criminals.” Jackson in her response noted that she was unaware of any such event. In her capacity as a public defender, Jackson was assigned to represent four men detained at Guantanamo Boy. In one legal document, she did refer to torture as a “war crime,” but never said Bush and Rumsfeld were “war criminals.” Cornyn, still disagrees.
Later, Cornyn shifted to culture war issues: specifically same-sex marriage.
Same-sex marriage was legalized in 2015, with the decision Obergefell v. Hodges. Though it appears Cornyn would like the court to reverse that decision.
Not to be outdone, when it came time for his questioning, Sen. Ted Cruz (fresh off an airport tantrum in Montana) used his time to talk about everything from the 1619 Project to policing to books at the Georgetown Day School. Before Cruz could ask his questions, Senator Amy Klobuchar did remind him that a former judge he clerked for is supportive of Jackson.
Cruz began by asking Jackson about critical race theory. She then calmly noted she had not studied the academic curriculum, nor does she rely upon it as a judge.
Cruz then pivoted to ask about Jackson’s role as a board member of the Georgetown Day School. He brought out some props, including posters and books, including “Antiracist Baby” by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi. “Do you agree with this book that is being taught to kids: that babies are racist?” he asked Judge Jackson.
Jackson responded by maintaining that as a board member, she plays no part in setting the school’s academic agenda.
As the confirmation hearing continues, it appears likely both Texas senators will again use their time to make a mockery out of the judicial process and find new and innovative ways to embarrass the state.
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