Senators attacking Judge Jackson’s time as a public defender are attacking the Constitution. [link removed]
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KBJ & SCOTUS
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As her Senate confirmation hearings took place this week, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson faced a barrage of wrongheaded criticism connected to her experience as a public defender. Senators suggested she is “soft on crime” and somehow unfit to serve on the nation’s highest court. Even setting aside the real benefit to deliberation that this part of Jackson’s resume provides — a federal public defender has never served on the Court before — the right to a fair trial is a core American value, enshrined in the Sixth Amendment. Any attempt to malign this right is nothing short of an attack on the Constitution
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For more, take a look at our new collection of related pieces
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by Brennan Center experts covering everything from the benefits of judicial diversity to the historical context of Jackson’s nomination.
The Fight for DC Statehood
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Residents of Washington, DC, might be American citizens, pay federal taxes, and serve in the military — but they still don’t have voting members of Congress or total control of their local government. That’s because our nation’s capital is not a state, even though it has more people than Vermont or Wyoming. The fight for full political representation for DC has gained momentum, but significant obstacles remain. Why isn’t DC a state and how can it become one? Why is DC statehood a civil rights issue? A new Brennan Center explainer has the answers, delving into the history of the fight for DC statehood and the need to cure this democratic deficit
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The Powerful Story of the First Woman State Supreme Court Justice
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As conversations around judicial diversity continue this Women’s History Month, it’s worth remembering one pioneer on this front: Florence Ellinwood Allen. She was the first woman to sit on a state supreme court and also the first on a federal appeals court. A century ago, Allen was elected to the Ohio Supreme Court, propelled by ardent supporters in the women’s rights movement. Along the way, she overcame numerous obstacles, like fellow judges who thought that she couldn’t rule on certain issues because she was a woman. Today, the underrepresentation of women on the bench remains a serious problem, but her story of perseverance and community activism inspires
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Democracy and Women’s Rights Go Hand in Hand
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An international democracy think tank recently added the United States to its list of “backsliding democracies” for the first time, citing the spread of disinformation and restrictions on voting rights. It’s no coincidence that antidemocratic trends like these picked up around the same time as sweeping abortion bans. Democracy and gender equity are intrinsically linked to one another, and America needs to improve on both
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Critics Rush to Conclusions on Bail Reform
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Opponents of bail reform in New York State have tried to link it to increases in crime rates — but actually there’s no evidence tying the two together. The law, which went into effect in 2020, eliminated cash bail for most misdemeanor and nonviolent felony charges. As a result, tens of thousands of people have avoided jail while waiting for a trial to determine their guilt or innocence. Now there’s a push to roll back this hugely beneficial legislation. Our new explainer looks at the data and offers solutions based on the facts, not unfounded fears
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Racial Gerrymandering in the Buckeye State
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For the third time, the Ohio Supreme Court has struck down the state redistricting commission’s new, gerrymandered legislative maps. It’s another win for marginalized communities in a lawsuit filed by the Brennan Center. Sam Gresham, chair of Common Cause Ohio, one of the plaintiffs challenging these antidemocratic maps, connects the the current fight for fair representation to our country’s troubling legacy of discrimination
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Virtual Events
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Drawing the Line: How Redistricting Impacts Latino Communities
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Hispanic Federation and the Brennan Center are co-hosting a series of discussions that will provide an update on the redistricting process in North Carolina, Florida, Texas, and Georgia. Panelists will discuss the impact that the new maps will have on the Latino community, upcoming elections, and representation at all levels. RSVP today.
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Florida: Thursday, March 31 // 10:30 a.m. ET
Texas: Thursday, April 7 // 1 p.m. ET
Georgia: Thursday, April 14 // 11 a.m. ET
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Universal Voting
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Tuesday, April 12 // 6–7 p.m. ET
Twenty-six countries require participation in their elections. In 100% Democracy: The Case for Universal Voting
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, co-authors E.J. Dionne and Miles Rapoport argue that the United States should follow in their footsteps. After all, Americans are required to pay taxes and serve on juries. Join us for a conversation with the authors and New York City Council Member Alexa Avilés about universal voting and how to implement it. RSVP today.
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BRENNAN CENTER ON INSTAGRAM
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Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson would be the first Black woman to ever serve on the Supreme Court — as well as the first former public defender. Follow the Brennan Center on Instagram >>
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Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law
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