Ketanji Brown Jackson was sworn in as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court on Thursday afternoon, making her the first Black woman and the first former federal public defender to serve on the nation's highest court in U.S. history.
Jackson replaces Justice Stephen Breyer, who officially retired on Thursday, ending a nearly 30-year career on the nation's highest court.
Jackson, nominated by President Joe Biden, was confirmed by the Senate in April.
The political makeup of the court, which is currently tilted 6-3 in favor of conservatives, is unchanged by Jackson joining the bench. But for the first time in U.S. history, four women will be serving on the high court at the same time.
During Thursday's swearing-in ceremony, Chief Justice John Roberts administered the Constitutional Oath, while Breyer gave the Judicial Oath before a small gathering of Jackson's family.
"I am pleased to welcome Justice Jackson to the Court and to our common calling," Roberts said.
Breyer, 83, was the high court's oldest justice, and has been a key member of its liberal wing for years. He was first nominated to the Supreme Court in 1994 by then-President Bill Clinton; Biden, then a U.S. Senator, presided over his confirmation hearings as the chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
"I enormously appreciate the privilege of serving as part of the federal judicial system," he wrote in a letter to President Biden at the time. "I have found the work challenging and meaningful. My relations with each of my colleagues have been warm and friendly."
Breyer faced calls to retire by a number of progressive members of the Democratic party, especially in the wake of Biden's predecessor Donald Trump nominating three conservative justices to the bench – including tapping Justice Amy Coney Barrett to replace liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg just weeks before the 2020 election.
He leaves a court much more conservative than the one he joined, after a tumultuous term full of several high-profile cases, including recent decisions overturning Roe v. Wade, expanding Second Amendment protections, limiting the authority of the EPA to address carbon emissions and those in favor of religious plaintiffs.
Democrats on Thursday cheered Jackson's ascent to the high court, celebrating the historic nature of her service.
"As Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson takes her seat on the Supreme Court, our nation takes an historic step toward realizing our highest ideals," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. "Amid this Court's cruel assault on Americans' health, freedom and security, she will be a much needed force for equal justice for all."
Pelsoi also offered praise to Justice Breyer: "Congress and the Country are also deeply grateful to Justice Stephen Breyer – a leader of integrity, a champion of liberty and a jurist who never wavered in his sacred duty to defend Americans' individual rights."
"I’m thrilled to see Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson sworn in today as the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court!" wrote Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren. "As a former public defender, she’ll bring an invaluable perspective to the bench. I also want to thank Justice Breyer for his extraordinary public service."
Florida Rep. Val Demings called Thursday a "monumental day in United States history."
Virginia Rep Don Beyer said that the high court "desperately" needs Jackson's service on the bench.
New Jersey Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman called Jackson's swearing in "a ray of light during a dark time for our country."
"From the bottom of my heart — congratulations, Justice Jackson," she added. "You are an inspiration to Black women and girls everywhere."
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., who championed Jackson's confirmation process, put it simply: "History."
This is a developing story. Check back later for further updates.