Judge Jackson Deserves Better Than QAnon Smears From Belligerent Republican Senators

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 23, 2022 – When the hearing for the Supreme Court confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson began this week, it appeared only Sens. Josh Hawley and Ted Cruz intended to pursue a fringe smear regarding Judge Jackson’s sentencing in child pornography cases. At this point, almost every Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee has indulged in this QAnon-adjacent line of questioning. 

This morning, Sen. Lindsey Graham notably staged a temper tantrum on the topic, repeatedly interrupting Judge Jackson during a hostile line of questioning and refusing to let her answer his questions. 

Every time this topic has come up, Judge Jackson has defended in detail her considerations and the recommendations of the U.S. Sentencing Commission, consistent with the debunks published in every major news outlet. 

Alliance for Justice President Rakim H.D. Brooks issued the following statement: 

“Defenders of insurrection are not our go-to experts for how to respect the rule of law. Contrary to the unfounded accusations around Judge Jackson’s sentencing record, victims and survivors of crimes have openly praised Judge Jackson’s record, as has law enforcement. Anyone relying on such sensationalist and disrespectful questioning is only trying to smear an accomplished Black woman’s record for petty partisan reasons. These senators’ constituents deserve better — as does Judge Jackson.”