American history was made on Friday as Ketanji Brown Jackson took her place as the first black woman to sit on the US Supreme Court.
Ms Brown Jackson took the ceremonial oath in an investiture in Washington attended by US President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff.
She replaces retiring justice Stephen Breyer.
When the court begins an eight-month term on Monday, Ms Brown Jackson joins as Mr Biden’s first confirmation in a body stacked with conservative justices — at 6 to 3 — appointed by former president Donald Trump.
That majority wielded its bipartisan power when it overturned the landmark 1973 decision Roe v Wade and has strengthened, not curtailed, gun rights.
The Senate in April confirmed Ms Brown Jackson, who was serving as a federal appellate judge, despite hostility among Republicans.
Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell called Jackson the choice of the "radical left”.
"I decide cases from a neutral posture," Ms Brown Jackson told the Senate judiciary committee during her March confirmation hearing.
"I evaluate the facts, and I interpret and apply the law to the facts of the case before me, without fear or favour, consistent with my judicial oath."
Her confirmation fulfils a campaign promise made by Mr Biden to appoint a black woman to the US Supreme Court.
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Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson smiles next to Vice President Kamala Harris after an event celebrating her confirmation to the US Supreme Court on the South Lawn of the White House on April 8, 2022, in Washington. AFP -
Ms Jackson's husband Patrick Jackson and their daughter Leila Jackson arrive at an event to celebrate Jackson's confirmation to the US Supreme Court. AFP -
Ms Jackson shakes hands with President Joe Biden after he introduces her to speak at an event in Washington. AP -
Mr Biden delivers remarks on Ms Jackson's confirmation. Reuters -
Vice President Kamala Harris, Ms Jackson and Mr Joe Biden depart after the ceremony. Bloomberg -
Senator Chuck Schumer poses with guests at an event celebrating Ms Jackson's confirmation to the US Supreme Court. AFP -
Rev Jesse Jackson and civil rights leader Al Sharpton arrive at the event. AFP -
US President Joe Biden is flanked by Ketanji Brown Jackson and Vice President Kamala Harris as they arrive for the celebration. Reuters -
Patrick Jackson is recognised by President Joe Biden during the ceremony. EPA -
Ketanji Brown Jackson, President Joe Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris arrive for the ceremony. EPA / Bloomberg -
Mr Biden and Ms Harris depart the event with Ms Jackson. EPA -
Ms Jackson wipes a tear as she speaks to celebrate her confirmation on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. EPA -
Ms Jackson and Vice President Kamala Harris applaud as President Joe Biden speaks during the event. AP -
People applaud as Ms Jackson speaks. AP -
Vice President Kamala Harris and Ms Jackson embrace at the event. AFP -
Ms Jackson's family during an event on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. AP -
Ms Jackson's mother Ellery Brown, father Johnny Brown and brother Ketajh Brown arrive on the South Lawn of the White House. AP -
Ms Jackson's husband and daughter arrive on the South Lawn of the White House. AP
While the liberal justices may play merely the role of dissenters in some major cases, Ms Brown Jackson could help shape some decisions, particularly in her areas of expertise.
Her perspective on criminal justice issues is informed by past service both as a trial judge and as a public defender — a job none of the other sitting justices ever performed.
The ceremony was also attended by US Attorney General Merrick Garland, several lawmakers and retired justices Mr Breyer and Anthony Kennedy.
Also present was Chief Justice John Roberts, who had privately lobbied fellow conservatives not to overturn the constitutional right to abortion.
