Civic Register
| 10.27.20

Justice Amy Coney Barrett Sworn In to the Supreme Court by Justice Clarence Thomas, Chief Justice John Roberts
How do you feel about Justice Amy Coney Barrett’s potential impact on the Court?
UPDATE 10/27/20 (11:15am EDT) - Justice Barrett takes judicial oath, officially seated on the Supreme Court bench.
- In a private ceremony at the Supreme Court on Tuesday morning, Chief Justice John Roberts administered Justice Amy Coney Barrett's judicial oath of office, which allows her to officially begin participating in the business of the nation's high Court.
- Barrett's constitutional oath of office was administered by Justice Clarence Thomas in an event at the White House on Monday night. A formal investiture ceremony at the Supreme Court will be held at a time to be announced in the future.
The original article from Causes appears below.
What’s the story?
- Amy Coney Barrett was sworn in as an associate justice of the Supreme Court in a Monday night ceremony hosted by President Donald Trump on the White House’s South Lawn. Barrett was confirmed by the Senate on a 52-48 vote earlier Monday evening.
- The Court’s longest serving member on the bench, Justice Clarence Thomas, administered Barrett’s constitutional oath at the ceremony. Tomorrow, Chief Justice John Roberts will administer Barrett’s judicial oath, which will allow her to formally participate in the Supreme Court’s proceedings. A formal investiture ceremony will be held at a later date.
- In remarks after she was sworn in, Barrett emphasized, “A judge declares independence not only from Congress and the president, but also from the private beliefs that might otherwise move her.” She added the following about her role as a newly-minted Supreme Court justice:
“My fellow Americans, even though we judges don’t face elections, we still work for you. It is your Constitution that establishes the rule of law and the judicial independence that is so central to it. The oath that I have solemnly taken tonight means at its core that I will do my job without any fear or favor, and that I will do so independently of both the political branches and of my own preferences.”
- President Donald Trump praised Barrett as “one of our nation’s most brilliant legal scholars” and noted the historic nature of her appointment:
“It is highly fitting that Justice Barrett fills the seat of a true pioneer for women, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Tonight, Justice Barrett becomes not only the fifth woman to serve on our nation’s Court, but the very first mother of school-aged children to become a Supreme Court justice."
- He added the following about Barrett's commitment constitutional rule of law:
“Justice Barrett made clear she will issue rulings based solely upon a faithful reading of the law and the Constitution as written, not legislate from the bench. The equal, impartial, and constitutional rule of law that we enjoy every day in America is one of the crowning achievements in the history of human civilization. It is the triumph of reason, experience, and the values which are eternal and everlasting. Our devotion to this inheritance is what has made America the most just, exceptional, and glorious nation ever to exist.”
- You can watch the ceremony below:
What’s next?
- The justices are scheduled to hold a conference on Friday ahead of the November argument session that will begin on Monday, November 2nd.
— Eric Revell
(Photo Credit: Screengrab)
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