Liberal Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson has provoked a backlash after she appeared in a “queer” Broadway show.
The move has ignited questions about the ethical nature of a Supreme Court Justice taking part in what could be seen as a partisan event.
It comes as the court is expected to deliberate on a related case in the near future.
Jackson’s appearance in the show was blasted by a legal expert as “really reckless” during an interview with Fox News.
The President Joe Biden-appointed justice appeared in a “woke” Broadway spinoff of “Romeo and Juliet.”
Critics are now questioning Justice Jackson’s impartiality in a landmark case regarding transgender surgical procedures for minors.
Justice served. pic.twitter.com/DeeYRvxQum
— & Juliet Broadway (@AndJulietBway) December 16, 2024
Heritage Foundation senior legal counsel Thomas Jipping told Fox:
“I think it’s a huge mistake for federal judges, especially Supreme Court justices, to engage in activities that clearly put the stamp of approval on an ideological position regarding issues that could come before the court, which is practically the definition of a threat to their impartiality, the appearance of impropriety.”
The expert went on to lay out why this was outside of the realm of the appropriate:
“It’s unusual for judges to do this sort of thing under any circumstances.
“But I suppose if this was ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ if this was some recognized, established classic or something, it might be different.
“But this is obviously an advocacy production, so for a Supreme Court justice to participate in advocacy on an issue that is currently in the courts, and at least broadly speaking, before her, I think it’s a huge mistake,” he said.
The musical, which is called “& Juliet,” includes strong LGBTQ+ themes as well as characters who do not hold a binary gender.
In the same place where Shakespeare’s original finishes, the musical begins.
It is said on the website of the company that “& Juliet” is a “hilarious new musical” that “flips the script on the greatest love story ever told.”
Instead of taking her own life out of love, Juliet decides to make her own path, which is depicted as a risky move because it challenges the conventional gender roles.
In the musical, the character May, who is Juliet’s best friend, is a character whose LGBTQ relationship is heavily portrayed and explored throughout the whole production.
Jackson became the first Supreme Court justice to appear on Broadway when he joined a company for a one-time performance at New York’s Stephen Sondheim Theatre on Saturday night.
Other Broadway artists, including TikTok sensation Charli D’Amelio, were also a part of the cast.
David West Read, who is best known for his work as a writer and producer on the television show “Schitt’s Creek,” is the author of the song “& Juliet.”
It comes after Justice Amy Coney Barrett has attracted attention for her ties to religious groups and their potential influence on cases involving LGBTQ+ issues.
There has also been intense scrutiny directed toward Justice Clarence Thomas because of his wife’s political activism.
Additionally, Justice Brett Kavanaugh has encountered criticism regarding his confirmation process and prior financial disclosures.
“For two, three years now, liberals have been complaining about actions by Supreme Court justices that they say undermine the public’s confidence in the impartiality of the judiciary,” Jipping said.
“Liberals in Congress want an enforceable code of conduct.
“I wonder what they say about this.”
“Participating in an advocacy, in an exercise of advocacy, for a position on issues that come before the Supreme Court is an egregious violation of that principle in the code of conduct regarding impartiality,” he said.
“I don’t think there’s any question about that.”
READ MORE – Liberal Supreme Court Justice Jackson Warns First Amendment Is ‘Hamstringing’ Government
