Sen. Marsha Blackburn is calling for a formal ethics review after Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson attended the Grammy Awards, where celebrities openly promoted anti-ICE rhetoric while members of the audience applauded. The Tennessee Republican is pressing Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts to investigate whether the appearance violated the Court’s Code of Conduct.
Justice Jackson attended the event due to her nomination for narrating the audiobook of her memoir, Lovely One. Critics, however, pointed to footage showing Jackson clapping as performers and speakers criticized U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Some attendees wore “ICE Out” lapel pins, while others used phrases such as “No one is illegal on stolen land” and “[Expletive] ICE.”
In a letter to Roberts, Blackburn wrote, “While it is by no means unheard of or unusual for a Supreme Court justice to attend a public function, very rarely—if ever—have justices of our nation’s highest Court been present at an event at which attendees have amplified such far-left rhetoric.” She urged Roberts to examine whether Jackson’s conduct could require recusal in future cases.
Blackburn, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, emphasized concerns over judicial impartiality as the Supreme Court prepares to hear cases involving immigration and policies tied to President Trump. “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,” her letter states.
The senator contrasted the situation with past Democratic criticism of conservative justices. She noted that Democrats and media outlets labeled Republican-appointed justices “corrupt” and “partisan,” referencing prior calls for Justice Samuel Alito to recuse himself over actions taken by his wife.
“Unlike these meritless claims,” Blackburn wrote, “there are serious questions regarding Justice Jackson’s participation in such a brazenly political, anti-law enforcement event.”
