Ketanji Brown Jackson sworn in as 1st Black woman on the Supreme Court

At the Supreme Court on Thursday, Ketanji Brown Jackson was sworn in as the first African American woman to serve on the high court.

Video transcript

JOHN ROBERTS: Welcome to the Supreme Court. We're here today to administer the oath of office to Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to become an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. But before we do so, I would like to recognize Dr. Patrick Jackson, who is here, her husband, and her daughters, Talia and Leila.

The administration of the oath is required, both by the Constitution and by the Judiciary Act. And so we'll be delivering two oaths. I'll deliver the constitutional oath, and Justice Breyer will administer the statutory oath.

There will be a formal investiture in the fall. But the oaths will allow Judge Jackson to undertake her duties. And she's been anxious to get to them without any further delay. Are you prepared to take the oath?

KETANJI BROWN JACKSON: I am.

JOHN ROBERTS: Please raise your right hand and repeat after me. I, Ketanji Brown Jackson do solemnly swear.

KETANJI BROWN JACKSON: I, Ketanji Brown Jackson, do solemnly swear.

JOHN ROBERTS: That I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.

KETANJI BROWN JACKSON: That I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.

JOHN ROBERTS: That I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same.

KETANJI BROWN JACKSON: That I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same.

JOHN ROBERTS: That I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion.

KETANJI BROWN JACKSON: That I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion.

JOHN ROBERTS: And that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I'm about to enter.

KETANJI BROWN JACKSON: And that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter.

JOHN ROBERTS: So help me God.

KETANJI BROWN JACKSON: So help me God.

JOHN ROBERTS: Thank you very much. And now I'll turn things over to Justice Breyer.

STEPHEN BREYER: The judicial oath. Will you raise your right hand, please? Thank you. I, Ketanji Brown Jackson.

KETANJI BROWN JACKSON: I, Ketanji Brown Jackson.

STEPHEN BREYER: Do solemnly swear.

KETANJI BROWN JACKSON: Do solemnly swear.

STEPHEN BREYER: That I will administer justice.

KETANJI BROWN JACKSON: That I will administer justice.

STEPHEN BREYER: Without respect to persons.

KETANJI BROWN JACKSON: Without respect to persons.

STEPHEN BREYER: And do equal right.

KETANJI BROWN JACKSON: And do equal right.

STEPHEN BREYER: To the poor and to the rich.

KETANJI BROWN JACKSON: To the poor and to the rich.

STEPHEN BREYER: And that I will faithfully and impartially.

KETANJI BROWN JACKSON: And that I will faithfully and impartially.

STEPHEN BREYER: Discharge and perform.

KETANJI BROWN JACKSON: Discharge and perform.

STEPHEN BREYER: All the duties.

KETANJI BROWN JACKSON: All the duties.

STEPHEN BREYER: Incumbent upon me.

KETANJI BROWN JACKSON: Incumbent upon me.

STEPHEN BREYER: As an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.

KETANJI BROWN JACKSON: As an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.

STEPHEN BREYER: Under the Constitution.

KETANJI BROWN JACKSON: Under the Constitution.

STEPHEN BREYER: And laws of the United States.

KETANJI BROWN JACKSON: And laws of the United States.

STEPHEN BREYER: So help me God.

KETANJI BROWN JACKSON: So help me God.

JOHN ROBERTS: Now, on behalf of all of the members of the court, I am pleased to welcome Justice Jackson to the court and to our common calling.

[APPLAUSE]