Sen. Marsha Blackburn has asked Chief Justice John Roberts to investigate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s presence at the Grammy Awards after footage showed her applauding speakers who criticized ICE. Jackson attended as a Grammy nominee for narrating her memoir’s audiobook, but critics say her reaction could raise conflict-of-interest concerns if immigration cases reach the Supreme Court. Blackburn urged Roberts to determine whether the conduct violates the Court’s Code of Conduct or warrants recusal from related cases.
Sen. Marsha Blackburn Asks Chief Justice Roberts to Investigate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Grammy Appearance
Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., is urging Chief Justice John Roberts to launch an investigation into Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson over her attendance at the Grammy Awards.(Getty Images)
Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) has asked U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts to open an inquiry into Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s attendance at the Grammy Awards after video and photos appeared to show her applauding speakers who criticized U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Jackson attended the ceremony as a Grammy nominee for narrating the audiobook edition of her memoir, Lovely One. Critics say footage showed her clapping while performers and presenters made anti-ICE remarks and displayed lapel pins reading “ICE Out.”
In a letter to Chief Justice Roberts, Blackburn — a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee — asked whether Justice Jackson’s presence and responses at the event could conflict with the Supreme Court’s Code of Conduct or create circumstances that would require recusal from future cases.
“To that end, in the interest of a fair-minded, impartial, and independent federal judiciary, I urge you to initiate an investigation into Justice Jackson’s attendance at this event and if her participation in any way would require recusal from matters that will come before the Court.”
Images and clips from the awards show showed some attendees wearing “ICE Out” lapel pins. Onstage remarks included statements such as “No one is illegal on stolen land” and the explicit phrase “F— ICE,” which drew particular attention from critics who contend a sitting justice should avoid appearing to endorse political or advocacy messaging.
Blackburn noted that the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear high-profile immigration-related cases — including disputes involving birthright citizenship — and argued that Jackson’s attendance at a politically charged event could raise questions about impartiality in matters that may come before the Court.
Blackburn also contrasted her request with previous calls from some Democrats and media outlets that Republican-appointed justices recuse themselves in other circumstances, saying those complaints were “meritless” while asserting that Justice Jackson’s appearance merits review.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Senator Blackburn’s office and the Supreme Court for comment. The matter now rests with Chief Justice Roberts, who oversees internal judicial conduct inquiries.
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