Ketanji Brown Jackson Sworn in as Supreme Court Justice

Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson was sworn in on Thursday afternoon, replacing Justice Stephen Breyer, who retired the same day. 

Jackson will likely not change the court’s 6-3 conservative majority. Jackson’s arrival on the court came shortly after a series of controversial rulings, including overturning Roe v. Wade; Breyer had joined the other two liberal justices in a joint dissent to that decision. Jackson is the third black person and the first black woman to serve on the nation's highest court. There are now four women on the Supreme Court, more than at any one time in history.

Breyer and Chief Justice John Roberts administered the judicial and constitutional oaths, respectively. In a statement, Jackson called Breyer “a personal friend and mentor of mine for the past two decades,” adding, “In the wake of his exemplary service, with the support of my family and friends, and ever mindful of the duty to promote the Rule of Law, I am well-positioned to serve the American people.” 

Coverage was widespread and mostly balanced across the spectrum on Thursday, with coverage from both sides highlighting Jackson's role as the first black woman justice. However, left-rated outlets featured the story more prominently on homepages than right-rated outlets.