WASHINGTON − Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson is known for her keen insights with her pen, her ability to challenge evasive lawyers during oral arguments, and she can also literally throw a punch.

Every week, the newest member of the court swaps her judicial robes for boxing gloves.

The Supreme Court is often described as a pressure-cooker environment, making decisions that significantly impact the nation. “What we do is not easy,” Jackson shared with YSL News during an interview focused primarily on her memoir, “Lovely One,” published by Random House, and her newly adopted exercise routine. “You have to find some way to let off steam.”

Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the court’s most senior liberal justice, disclosed that she sometimes retreats to her office after disagreeing with a major ruling, closing her door to cry.

Justice Elena Kagan, another justice in the minority during ideological splits, humorously mentioned that she “takes it out on the walls.”

When asked about her way of coping, Jackson revealed that she’s engaged a boxing trainer.

“So I guess I’m more aligned with Justice Kagan,” she chuckled.

During her youth, Jackson was more focused on speech and drama competitions than sports, excelling in these activities. (At Harvard, she notably performed alongside Matt Damon.)

Now, Jackson switches into casual attire and trains weekly with a boxing coach at the Supreme Court gym.

When questioned about her boxing skills, Jackson hinted at her proficiency but modestly stated she knows how to keep moving.

“I have rhythm,” she noted, “and a lot of it is about rhythm.”

The idea to box came from one of her female security personnel, who also practices boxing.

Threats to security and ‘unnerving’ circumstances

The necessity for security among Supreme Court justices was underscored this week when authorities arrested an Alaska man for allegedly making “heinous” threats to torture and kill six justices and members of their families.

Justice Amy Coney Barrett shared at a judicial conference that her son had recently discovered her wearing a bulletproof vest.

Barrett didn’t elaborate on why she needed such protection. However, a man from Nevada awaiting trial related to the January 6 Capitol riot reportedly threatened Barrett in June after she disagreed with the court’s ruling on prosecuting January 6 defendants.

Jackson, who has served on the court since 2022, described the security issues as “very unsettling.”

“Anyone in a public role would find those kinds of threats disturbing,” she emphasized.

However, Jackson expressed a desire not to become overly isolated due to security measures.

“We’re addressing many issues that affect real people,” she said. “I don’t want to be in a bubble so detached from reality that I can’t effectively fulfill my responsibilities as I see them.”

Despite this, she acknowledged, “security threats are a genuine concern.”