Justice Jackson Wants People to Focus on "What Is Happening in Our Country and in Our Government" (Updated)
Justice Jackson Sees Her Colleagues' Rulings As Threats to Democracy and the Rule of Law
Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson said Thursday that the "state of our democracy" keeps her up at night, echoing a theme that has animated some of her recent public appearances and fiery dissents from recent decisions.
"I'm really very interested to get people to focus, and to invest and to pay attention to what is happening in our country and in our government," Jackson said. . . .
On Saturday, at a different event in New Orleans, Jackson called the conservative bloc's decisions "an existential threat to the rule of law." . . .
On why she writes dissents as much as she does, Jackson commented:
"It's because I feel like I might have something to offer and add, and I'm not afraid to use my voice," said Jackson, noting that she's not offended by other justices taking issue with her opinions because she has a "thick skin."
Justice Jackson's comments echoed sentiments she has expressed in some of her opinions, including her dissent in Trump v. CASA, which drew a sharp response from Justice Barrett writing on behalf of the Court.
UPDATE: C-Span has posted video of the talk, and highlights this quote:
There are sometimes when, even after the principal dissent is written, I have a slightly different perspective or a different take on something or this is an issue of particular importance to me for whatever reason. Where I will say, 'Forgive me Justice Sotomayor, but I need to write on this case.' It's because I feel like I have something to offer, and something to add and I'm not afraid to use my voice.