KBJ Facing Impeachment Calls Over Behavior At Grammy Awards

Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) is escalating concerns over what she calls a troubling breach of judicial decorum after Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson attended the Grammy Awards — a ceremony that featured multiple on-stage attacks against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Justice Jackson was nominated for her memoir, Lovely One, in the category of Best Audio Book, Narration, and Storytelling Recording. The award ultimately went to the Dalai Lama for Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. But for Blackburn and other conservatives, the issue is not the nomination — it is the venue and the political overtones of the event itself.

“Americans deserve a Supreme Court that is impartial and above political influence,” Blackburn wrote on social platform X. “When a Justice participates in such a highly politicized event, it raises ethical questions. We need an investigation into Justice Jackson’s ability to remain impartial.”

Reports indicate Jackson was seen applauding during portions of the ceremony in which performers delivered pointed criticism of ICE and federal immigration enforcement. That reaction has fueled conservative concerns about whether a sitting justice should attend events that openly promote partisan messaging on issues likely to come before the Court.

In a formal letter to Chief Justice John Roberts, Blackburn called for what she described as “a thorough investigation” into whether Jackson’s presence at the awards could impact her “ability to remain impartial with respect to immigration matters that come before the Court.”

While acknowledging that being nominated for an award is not inherently controversial, Blackburn argued that the broader context of the event — including performers wearing “ICE out” pins and delivering inflammatory remarks targeting federal agents — makes the situation fundamentally different.

“For the following reasons, I urge you to conduct a thorough investigation into Justice Jackson’s attendance at this event and whether her presence at such an event complies with the obligation that a Supreme Court justice ‘act at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary,’” Blackburn’s letter said.

Blackburn also referenced remarks made during the ceremony’s major award presentations. The Album of the Year recipient declared, “Before I thank God, I’m going to say ICE out.” In another moment, the Song of the Year winner proclaimed, “F— ICE.” Blackburn did not identify the performers by name.

“These statements were just two of many polarized, highly charged anti-law enforcement sentiments from that evening,” Blackburn wrote. “It is important to note that Justice Jackson was present in the audience throughout the event.”

A spokesman for the Supreme Court did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Conservative voices have echoed Blackburn’s concerns. Some commentators have gone as far as suggesting impeachment, though Blackburn herself has focused on a formal ethics review.

Conservative commentator Alex Marlow criticized the optics of the situation, stating, “The fact that a Supreme Court Justice of the United States is showing up at an event like the Grammys, reducing herself to that level–and then applauding along as they attack our own law enforcement–is completely insane,” Marlow said.

Justice Jackson has previously defended her decision to attend public events amid Republican scrutiny, arguing that public visibility is part of modern service on the nation’s highest court.

Blackburn also contrasted the situation with past Democratic attacks on conservative justices. She pointed to criticism aimed at Justice Clarence Thomas over disclosed travel from billionaire Harlan Crow and calls for Justice Samuel Alito to recuse himself from cases related to January 6.

Thomas denied wrongdoing and disclosed the trips in question. Alito rejected recusal demands, saying he had “an obligation to sit [for the cases].”

“Unlike these meritless claims against Justice Alito and Justice Thomas, there are serious questions regarding Justice Jackson’s participation in such a brazenly political, anti-law enforcement event and her ability to remain an impartial member of the Supreme Court,” Blackburn wrote.

At stake, Blackburn argues, is more than optics. It is the integrity of a Court that depends on public confidence — particularly at a time when immigration enforcement, border security, and executive authority remain front and center in national debate.