Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson's recent appearance on the cover of Essence magazine has drawn criticism from some legal observers and conservatives who argue that such high-profile public engagements are inappropriate for a Supreme Court justice.
Andrew Fleischman, a Georgia attorney, stated that "Supreme Court Justices are not celebrities and should not be treated like celebrities." The Essence cover, released on July 4th, features Jackson with the caption "the people’s champion." The magazine described her as "the first Black woman to serve on the nation’s highest court" and a representation of "the American Dream."
This is not the first time Jackson's public activities outside the court have faced scrutiny. Previous appearances at events like the Grammy Awards, Broadway shows, and a Vogue photoshoot have led to accusations that she is blurring the lines between her judicial role and celebrity status.
Billy Binion, a reporter for a libertarian magazine, commented on X (formerly Twitter), "Ketanji Brown Jackson isn't supposed to be ‘the people's champion.’ She's not a politician. She's supposed to interpret the law, not make it." Similarly, civil liberties attorney Laura Powell wrote that justices should not need "political slogans" and should focus on interpreting the law. She added, "They should simply do their job of interpreting the law according to constitutional principles."
Historian Michelle Zier noted Alexander Hamilton's warnings in Federalist 78 about judges needing to resist the temptation to be seen as champions of the people, cautioning against legislative invasions of the Constitution instigated by public sentiment.
Even some progressive voices have called for a code of ethics for the Supreme Court in light of such public appearances. Sam Weinberg, who runs a progressive advocacy group, suggested that a SCOTUS code of ethics is needed.
In response to earlier criticism regarding her attendance at the Grammy Awards, Jackson explained that "public outreach and education" are part of her responsibilities. She told The View in February that during court recesses, justices have opportunities to engage with communities in various ways.
Other Supreme Court justices have also had their outside activities scrutinized. Annual financial disclosures have revealed income from book deals, teaching positions, travel reimbursements, and gifts among members of the court. Previous justices, including Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sonia Sotomayor, have also appeared on magazine covers during their tenure.