Ketanji Brown Jackson Tears Up After Cory Booker Calls Her ‘Harbinger of Hope’ During Hearing

Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson and Sen. Cory Booker shared a special moment during the jurist’s third day of hearings to determine if she will become the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court.

Wednesday in Washington, D.C., the New Jersey senator gave a speech praising Jackson — who was nominated by President Joe Biden to serve on SCOTUS — for how she composed herself amid intense question from Republicans about her judicial and legal records, as well as her personal beliefs.

"You faced insults here that were shocking to me — well, actually not shocking," Booker told Jackson. "But you are here because of that kind of love, and nobody is taking that away from me."

"I want to tell you, when I look at you, this is why I get emotional," he added. "I'm sorry, you're a person that is so much more than your race and gender. You're a Christian. You're a mom. It's hard for me not to look at you and not see my mom… I see my ancestors and yours."

While calling Jackson his "star" and "harbinger of hope,” Booker continued, “You have earned this spot. You are worthy. You are a great American.”

"This country gets better and better and better. When that final vote happens, and you ascend onto the highest court in the land, I'm going to rejoice. And I'm going to tell you right now, the greatest country in the world, the United States of America, will be better because of you."

As seen in photographs, Jackson was visibly moved by Booker’s words, and wiped her tears with a tissue. Jackson later thanked Booker for his speech.

Additionally, Sen. Alex Padilla of California called Booker’s speech "very moving" while Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island said it was an "epic Senate moment and also a moral reset after some truly poisonous, cynical behavior that trolled through the absolute bottom of what the Senate has done in dark times past."

In late November, Biden announced he had nominated Jackson to SCOTUS following a monthlong search.

While accepting the nomination, Jackson said in a speech, “If I’m fortunate enough to be confirmed as the next associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, I can only hope that my life and career, my love of this country and the Constitution and my commitment to upholding the rule of law and the sacred principles upon which this great nation was founded, will inspire future generations of Americans.”

Despite intense questioning from Republicans, Jackson could be confirmed without their support if all Democratic Senators are present and vote in her favor. Vice President Kamala Harris — the first female, first Black, and Asian-American vice president in American history — could then break the tie.

To check out exclusive content from "The Real," watch, below: