Hawley, who met with Jackson last week as part of her rounds on Capitol Hill ahead of Senate Judiciary Committee hearings next week, took to Twitter on Wednesday to levy extensive claims about the judge he said make him “concerned that this is a record that endangers our children.”
I’ve been researching the record of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, reading her opinions, articles, interviews & speeches. I’ve noticed an alarming pattern when it comes to Judge Jackson’s treatment of sex offenders, especially those preying on children
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) March 16, 2022
The Missouri senator’s comments mark one of the most aggressive attacks by a Republican on Jackson, whom Biden nominated to replace retiring Justice Stephen Breyer. Previously, GOP members have hesitated to name any direct controversies surrounding Biden’s pick but have questioned her “judicial philosophy.”
One example Hawley referenced of Jackson’s “pattern” toward sexual offenders was in the case United States v. Hawkins, involving a defendant who had “multiple images of child porn.”
“He was over 18,” Hawley wrote. “The Sentencing Guidelines called for a sentence of up to 10 years. Judge Jackson sentenced the perpetrator to only 3 months in prison. Three months.”
Another instance raised by Hawley was in United States v. Cooper, in which the guidelines suggested a sentence of “151-188” months for the defendant. “Judge Jackson settled on 60 months, the lowest possible sentence allowed by law,” Hawley added.
Hawley also claimed that Jackson, who previously served as commissioner of the U.S. Sentencing Commission from 2010 to 2014 before her career as a federal judge, “advocated for drastic change in how the law treats sex offenders by eliminating the existing mandatory minimum sentences for child porn.”
A member of the Committee on the Judiciary, Hawley’s allegations will likely be considered by other Republicans on the panel and in the Senate during her hearings, as she must gain approval by a simple majority before advancing to a full vote in the 100-member Senate.
“So far, the Sentencing Commission has refused to turn over all Judge Jackson’s records from her time there,” Hawley said, calling for immediate “access to all relevant records.”
“In light of what we have learned, this stonewalling must end,” he added.
The Washington Examiner contacted the Sentencing Commission but has not received a response.
This article was originally published by Washington Examiner. Read the original article.
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