Politico made the mistake of claiming President Joe Biden’s Supreme Court Nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson would become the first Black justice in the court’s history.
In a since-corrected tweet, Politico wrote, “Ketanji Brown Jackson will likely be confirmed as the first Black Supreme Court justice by the end of the week.”
We're used to the media cheerleading for Judge Jackson…but this is something else. pic.twitter.com/jKDK1gdlr5
— Tom Cotton (@TomCottonAR) April 4, 2022
The outlet later corrected the tweet, writing, “Ketanji Brown Jackson will likely be confirmed as the first Black female Supreme Court justice by the end of this week.”
The correction continued, “For the record: This replaces an earlier tweet that stated Ketanji Brown Jackson could be the first Black Supreme Court justice, it should have said the first Black female Supreme Court justice. We apologize for the error.”
Additionally, Politico corrected the article linked in the tweet.
“Let’s walk you through how the confirmation of Ketanji Brown Jackson to become the first Black female Supreme Court justice is likely to unfold this week. To be clear: Democrats aren’t going to break until they get this done,” the outlet wrote.
For the record: This replaces an earlier tweet that stated Ketanji Brown Jackson could be the first Black Supreme Court justice, it should have said the first Black female Supreme Court justice. We apologize for the error.
— POLITICO (@politico) April 4, 2022
Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) criticized the outlet for the mistake in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
“If that were true, that would come as news to the family of Thurgood Marshall. It would come as great news to Justice Clarence Thomas and his family.”
Lee added, “When we hear, as we’ve heard today, calls for making sure we respect the need to show inclusiveness, let’s remember how members of this committee have treated others.”
He continued, “Let’s remember how they treated Justice Clarence Thomas.”
Watch his comments below:
Senator Mike Lee calls out Politico for falsely claiming that Ketanji Brown Jackson will be "first Black Supreme Court Justice" pic.twitter.com/ewOe3Bx6SP
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) April 4, 2022
The Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to vote on Jackson’s nomination late Monday afternoon, as The Washington Post reported.
Judiciary Committee Chairman Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.) said the vote is a “historic moment.”
He recognized Jackson’s “impeccable qualifications” and said she would bring “the highest level of skill, integrity, civility and grace” to the Supreme Court.
Durbin explained, “Hers is a uniquely American family story, how much hope and promise can be achieved in just one generation.”
He continued, “I’m proud we can bear witness to it.”
The Post noted Jackson’s final Senate confirmation vote would happen Thursday or Friday.
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) is the only Republican to voice support for Jackson thus far, as IJR reported.
