Washington D.C. – On Tuesday morning, Justice Amy Coney Barrett recited the judicial oath at her swearing-in ceremony. This moment officially marks Barrett’s tenure as the 115th justice on the Supreme Court. The event was held in the East Conference Room of the Court. Barrett was pictured with her right hand raised while her husband, Jesse, held the family Bible. Barrett has big shoes to fill with the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The late justice is an icon for women’s and equal rights activists.
Before joining the Supreme Court, new justices must take two oaths, one constitutional and another judicial. Monday, Justice Clarence Thomas conducted the constitutional oath for Barrett in an event on the White House’s South Lawn.
Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader, said, “Today…will go down as one of the darkest days in the 231-year history of the…Senate. Let the record show that tonight, the Republican Senate majority decided to… confirm a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court… after more than sixty million Americans have voted.”
Barrett, starting her Supreme Court tenure several days before Election Day, was hurried through the celebratory White House functions. The president expedited the appeals court judge’s process following a four-day confirmation hearing in the Senate. The newly-minted Justice Barrett was confirmed by 52 to 48 strictly down party lines with the Republicans in the majority.
The Trump administration’s decision to rush Barrett’s confirmation is resulting in a contentious right-leaning Supreme Court. Her history on immigration, abortion, and gun rights suggest that Barrett will fuel the conservative half of the court. Activists see this as an insult to the late Justice Ginsberg. Barrett’s earlier rulings are causing anxiety over the future of Roe v. Wade and the Affordable Care Act. Coney Barrett’s contributions to the Court may impact millions of Americans for decades to come.
With Justice Barrett seated as another conservative judge, will Joe Biden pack the Court if he wins the presidential election?