In a post-hearing written Q&A from members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson refused to say if she holds a position on whether individuals have natural rights.
“Please explain, in your own words, the theory prevalent among members of the Founding Fathers’ generation that humans possess natural rights that are inherent or inalienable,” Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) asked Jackson.
She replied, “The theory that humans possess inherent or inalienable rights is reflected in the Declaration of Independence, which states: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.’”
Next, Cruz asked Jackson, “do you hold a position on whether individuals possess natural rights, yes or no?”
“I do not hold a position on whether individuals possess natural rights,” Jackson answered.
“This is stunning,” Cruz tweeted on Saturday. “The Declaration of Independence proclaims: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their Creator, with certain unalienable Rights….’ KBJ says she has ‘no position’ on whether this is true.”
“This should be automatically disqualifying,” one Twitter user wrote.
“If Judge Ketanji Jackson doesn’t recognize the natural rights given to us by our Creator – the literal bedrock of American values – she absolutely cannot be confirmed to the SCOTUS,” another user wrote. “This woman is a massive threat to basic human liberty. She’s a Trojan horse for tyranny.”
“The Constitution and the original Bill of Rights is based solidly upon Natural Rights, hence, unalienable,” another user tweeted. “Ketanji disqualifies herself with this answer.”