Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson is catching fresh heat after appearing on the cover of Essence magazine, where she was branded "the People's Champion."
It's the latest in a surprising string of efforts to pursue celebrity status for the Justice, who somehow found her way onto a body rarely associated with vanity projects.
The special collector’s edition, unveiled by Essence on America’s 250th birthday, celebrates Jackson as the first Black woman on the nation’s highest court and a “powerful voice for those simply seeking the God-given birthrights promised to every American.”
"There is no better moment to celebrate her extraordinary legacy," they write.
As America celebrates its 250th birthday, ESSENCE is honored to unveil the first magazine cover of Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s historic career.
— ESSENCE (@Essence) July 4, 2026
As the first Black woman to serve on the nation’s highest court, there is no better moment to celebrate her… pic.twitter.com/xTYtC1L9Lu
As America celebrates its 250th birthday, ESSENCE is honored to unveil the first magazine cover of Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s historic career. As the first Black woman to serve on the nation’s highest court, there is no better moment to celebrate her extraordinary legacy. Ketanji Brown Jackson represents the American Dream and serves as a powerful voice for those simply seeking the God-given birthrights promised to every American. We are proud to feature her on the cover of this special double issue of the newly reimagined ESSENCE magazine. Be sure to pick up this historic collector’s edition when it hits newsstands.
READ MORE: Not Satire — Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson Makes Broadway Debut in LGBTQ Musical
Perhaps the best part about this is the fact that Essence describes itself as "the premiere lifestyle, fashion and beauty magazine for African-American women" and a "company dedicated to Black women."
Dedicated to what now? Not sure what they're referring to, being untrained in Biology and all.
Legal observers have quickly pushed back, according to Fox News, arguing that Supreme Court justices are not celebrities and should not adopt political slogans.
The first such legal mind is Founding Father, Alexander Hamilton, who wrote in 1788: "It is easy to see that it would require an uncommon portion of fortitude in the judges to do their duty as faithful guardians of the Constitution, where legislative invasions of it had been instigated by the major voice of the community."
Maybe she's not familiar with his work.
Andrew Fleischman, a Georgia trial and appeal lawyer, also spoke to Fox News about Jackson's magazine cover.
"Supreme Court Justices are not celebrities and should not be treated like celebrities," he insisted.
Sorry, I hate stuff like this. Ketanji Brown Jackson isn't supposed to be "the people's champion." She's not a politician. She's supposed to *interpret* the law, not make it. This kind of thing is why so many people misunderstand how our government works at a basic level. https://t.co/HEuLZ0ZcKE
— Billy Binion (@billybinion) July 5, 2026
This isn't the first time Joe Biden's DEI hire has flirted with the spotlight.
Back in December of 2024, the Supreme Court justice made her Broadway debut in a one-night walk-on role written specifically for her in the feminist, LGBTQ-themed musical "& Juliet."
It certainly suggested that Jackson was more of an activist judge, interested in furthering progressive causes and seeing herself in the spotlight, rather than conveying an air of judicial impartiality.
Not to mention, it was utterly absurd.
Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson makes her Broadway debut in & Juliet, a queer retelling of Romeo and Juliet featuring Juliet’s nonbinary best friend, May.
— Catch Up (@CatchUpFeed) December 16, 2024
What would Shakespeare say about this? pic.twitter.com/KFlQbDfYF3
This isn't Jackson's first prominent magazine feature; she took part in a high-fashion photo spread in Vogue shortly after her confirmation, again blurring the line between jurist and public figure.
Jackson has previously defended other public appearances as "public outreach and education."
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