Former House Speaker Paul Ryan, a Republican, offered his “praise” to Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson, to whom he is related by marriage, in a tweet Friday.
While they are politically at odds, the former Republican politician vouched for Jackson’s character after she was nominated to become the first black female justice by President Joe Biden on Friday.
“Janna and I are incredibly happy for Ketanji and her entire family,” Ryan wrote. “Our politics may differ, but my praise for Ketanji’s intellect, for her character, and for her integrity, is unequivocal.”
BIDEN NOMINATES KETANJI BROWN JACKSON TO SUPREME COURT
Janna and I are incredibly happy for Ketanji and her entire family. Our politics may differ, but my praise for Ketanji’s intellect, for her character, and for her integrity, is unequivocal.
— Paul Ryan (@SpeakerRyan) February 25, 2022
The connection between Jackson and Ryan is complex, as Jackson’s husband has a twin brother who is married to Ryan’s sister-in-law.
Ryan has also supported Jackson through previous nomination processes. When former President Barack Obama nominated her to a spot on the U.S. District Court for the D.C. Circuit in 2012, Ryan testified on her behalf at the confirmation hearing and spoke highly of her qualifications, urging his fellow GOP colleagues to confirm her.
Jackson, 51, was known to be on a short list of contenders the White House considered for the role and exhibits a unique background, having been a federal trial court judge for eight years without experience as a prosecutor or major corporate lawyer. She also sat on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals bench, where notably Justices Clarence Thomas and Brett Kavanaugh served as judges before their promotions.
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Further details about Jackson’s nomination to the Supreme Court are expected to be delivered during a White House press briefing later on Friday.
