WASHINGTON -- President Joe Biden faces conflicting pressures both from Democrats and advocates, as he finalizes the nomination for the Supreme Court to replace retiring Justice Stephen Breyer.
Senate Democrats, which hold a thin majority, press him to act quickly as he prepares to interview with a small number of finalists. Interviews could start as soon as next week.
U.W., the first Black federal judge in Alabama. According to NBC News, Clemon, wrote a letter on February 4 to Biden urging him to not consider appeals Judge Ketanji brown Jackson for the Supreme Court.
Clemon, who is a former chief judge of U.S. District Court, Northern District of Alabama, stated that there are "several extremely well-qualified black female aspirants" but Jackson is not one of them, and should "not be appointed" to the court.
This letter arrives as the selection process begins and as the campaign behind the scenes by the candidates, their supporters, and their detractors is well underway.
Clemon stated in a telephone interview that she doesn't believe Clemon exemplifies justice for the black community.
He cited Ross, the 2016 class-action suit brought by 5,500 Black employees of Lockheed Martin. She declined to approve the $22 million settlement reached. It would have included reforms related to Lockheed's promotion process.
Clemon wrote that "She rejected the settlement because she believed there were no common factsual questions."
Clemon, who was retired from the court's in 2009, is listed to be a counsel at Mehri & Skalet. Mehri & Skalet represented the losing side in the Ross v. Lockheed case. Jackson's other rulings have been praised by progressives for being labor-friendly.
Jackson's judicial assistant didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
Following Clemon's criticisms, the White House supported Jackson and called her "deeply qualified". It said Jackson "has built an exceptional record through hardwork and a lifetime of service - serving as a public defense lawyer to a judge."
"It was Judge Jackson's extensive experience at all levels of justice, her character and her legal brilliance that President Biden appointed her to the D.C. Circuit Court, where she was confirmed by the Senate for her third time. Andrew Bates, deputy press secretary, stated that Jackson was being considered.
Progressives are concerned about Judge J. Michelle Childs who is another candidate under consideration by Biden. He is supported by House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) and has also been praised by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).
Progressives have pointed to her experience as a corporate lawyer before she became a district judge in 2010. This is to argue that she does not reflect the White House's push for more civil rights and public defenders on the courts.
Clyburn responded to NBC News' question about Childs' inability to be progressive. He said, "Read her opinions, and not the headlines."
Two sources close to Biden's plans stated that he will spend the weekend at Camp David looking over materials regarding his Supreme Court nominees, including their writings, personal and professional backgrounds, and other information.
According to a senior official in the administration, his background check involves FBI-approved top candidates.
The president might be ready to interview candidates as soon as he has completed his review. The sources said that it is not yet clear when interviews will take place.
According to the president, he will announce his decision by the end the month.
In an interview with Lester Holt of NBC, Biden said that he had taken a deep dive on "about four people", although he did not say who.
Three sources familiar with the process say that Jackson and Childs are not the only candidates on the president's shortlist. Leondra Kruger is also on the list. Sources did not know of any fourth candidate currently under consideration.
Holt was also informed by Biden that he believed his nominee would win some Republican support. The president spoke last week to GOP Senators. According to multiple sources, the president spoke with Sens. Romney, Utah, and Susan Collins in Maine about his process.
The temporary absence of Senator Ben Ray Lujan from New Mexico is a problem for Democrats. According to his office, he is currently recovering from a stroke. He plans to return to Senate in the next few weeks. The party leaders sought to find a compromise between being quick and looking fair and deliberate regarding the high court nominee.
Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), who is the Judiciary Committee chair and would be responsible to steer Biden's nomination through the process, stated Thursday on MSNBC that his anxiety about the timeline.
"We want to get going. He said that we have our committee staff ready.
