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Senator Cory Booker brought Ketanji Brown Jackson to tears in Supreme Court confirmation hearing

Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson has spent the past three days being interviewed by members of the U.S. Senate as they consider her nomination for Supreme Court Justice. As expected, it has been ugly at times, with some members of Congress attempting to paint her in a negative light.

Jackson came into these hearings as one of the most qualified candidates ever, and she has handled everything thrown at her with grace, poise and barrels full of patience. Someone serving on the highest court in the land should have the temperament to handle questions and concerns without erupting into emotional outbursts, so her collectedness is not unexpected. At the same time, it can’t have been easy to be grilled for hours on end, especially when you know certain politicians are determined to make you out to be someone you’re not.

Jackson’s nomination is also historically significant. If confirmed, will be the first Black woman to serve as a Supreme Court Justice. Considering the fact that 96% (110 out of 115) of the Supreme Court Justices up to now have been men and 97% (112 out of 115) have been white, representation on the nation’s highest court has been woefully imbalanced, which is why President Biden made it a point to chose a Black woman out of all of the well-qualified candidates as his nominee.


This moment matters. And New Jersey Senator Cory Booker wasn’t about to let the ugly politics of the last couple of days cloud that fact. In his signature, animated way, Booker celebrated Jackson’s presence in that hearing in a way that moved both Jackson and those who were watching.

An excerpt of the speech quickly circulated on Twitter.

He begins by quoting poet Langston Hughes’ “Let America Be America Again,” then pointing out the various groups of people who have had to fight for their freedom in this country. He pointed out how much each of those groups loved America, to push this country to live to its ideals, to make it what it has always claimed to be.

“All of these people loved America,” he said. “You are here because of that kind of love.”

Booker’s joy at the historic significance of this moment was personal, but contagious. He’s right—this is a moment to celebrate. And it was lovely to see him reflect that back to her with words of praise and encouragement.

Watch the full video below—it’s even more powerful—and see some of the reactions from people who were moved by Booker’s words:

Booker’s full comments are even more powerful. Watch them here: