Another day, another glaring example of the elite swamp culture that persists in Washington, even within the revered halls of our Supreme Court. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson has cashed in big, receiving a staggering two million dollars for her memoir “Lovely One,” according to newly released financial disclosure forms. While the average American struggles with the lingering economic damage left behind by Biden and his failed policies, liberal elites are raking in millions, profiting handsomely from their positions of power and influence.
Let’s be clear: there’s nothing inherently wrong with writing a book or earning money from one’s life experiences. But what should raise conservative eyebrows is the disparity and hypocrisy that pervade the mainstream narrative. Remember when Democrats and their media allies viciously attacked conservative justices over modest speaking engagements or even personal friendships? The double standard is glaring. Justice Clarence Thomas faced relentless criticism for innocuous trips with longtime friends, yet the left remains noticeably silent now that their favored justice is pocketing millions from a publishing giant.
The Administrative Office of the United States Courts just revealed that Justice Jackson received not only a $2 million advance in 2024 but had previously secured an $893,750 advance the year before, bringing her total earnings for this memoir to nearly $3 million. For perspective, Justice Amy Coney Barrett’s own book deal nets her significantly less. Her forthcoming book, “Listening to the Law,” earned her a reported two million dollar contract, but she has received just a fraction of Jackson’s upfront payday. This raises important questions: why the stark difference? Could it be the left-wing publishing industry’s clear bias toward liberal justices, rewarding them generously while conservatives are offered less lucrative deals?
Further, these lavish book contracts have real consequences beyond enriching liberal justices. The Supreme Court recently found itself unable to hear the important copyright case, Baker v. Coates, precisely because five justices—including Jackson—had to recuse themselves due to conflicts of interest with Penguin Random House. When justices are entangled financially with major corporations, justice itself suffers. The integrity of our highest court should never be compromised by financial entanglements.
Meanwhile, Justice Sonia Sotomayor reported a combined $133,944.14 in royalties and advances, while Justice Neil Gorsuch earned $250,000. Barrett and Justice Brett Kavanaugh disclosed modest payments of around $31,000 each for teaching at Notre Dame Law School, and Gorsuch similarly disclosed $30,379.91 for his teaching at George Mason University. These teaching incomes represent a fair and appropriate way for sitting justices to supplement their salaries without compromising their roles or raising ethical concerns.
Yet, the disparity between Barrett’s relatively modest earnings and Jackson’s lavish payday underscores a troubling trend: a publishing industry that rewards liberal viewpoints with multimillion-dollar advances, while conservative voices are routinely sidelined or undervalued. This is more than just financial favoritism; it represents yet another front in the culture war, where leftist institutions wield their influence to advance progressive narratives and enrich liberal elites.
We must remain vigilant about the implications of these financial arrangements. The Supreme Court is the very foundation of American justice and must remain beyond reproach. Conservatives have rightly criticized liberal justices for politicizing rulings and legislating from the bench. Now, we must also scrutinize the financial entanglements that could further erode public trust in the Court’s impartiality.
Transparency and accountability are essential. Justice Clarence Thomas, recognizing the importance of public trust, amended his disclosures following left-wing media attacks—even though he believed, reasonably, that he was within ethical guidelines. Jackson and her liberal colleagues should follow that example, understanding that the American people deserve full clarity on financial dealings that could impact their impartiality on the bench.
As conservatives, we must continue to demand fairness, transparency, and accountability from every corner of government, especially from those entrusted with interpreting our Constitution. Our Supreme Court justices hold immense power; their integrity and impartiality must remain above question, free from the taint of financial entanglements that undermine public confidence in our most sacred institutions.