Rep. Jonathan Jackson Speaks Out on Denied Request for Father, Rev. Jesse Jackson, to Lie in Honor at U.S. Capitol

The civil rights leader's family had asked for his remains to lie in honor, but the request was denied.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Illinois Congressman Jonathan Jackson is speaking out for the first time about House Speaker Mike Johnson's decision to deny the request for Jackson's late father, Rev. Jesse Jackson Jr., to lie in honor at the U.S. Capitol. The family had asked for the civil rights leader's remains to lie in honor, but the request was denied, with the Speaker's office citing that the ritual is typically reserved for select military and government officials.

Why it matters

Rev. Jesse Jackson Jr. was a prominent civil rights leader and the founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. His death has prompted an outpouring of grief and reflection on his decades of activism and advocacy. The decision to deny his family's request to have his remains lie in honor at the U.S. Capitol has sparked debate about who is granted that distinction and the criteria used to make such determinations.

The details

Congressman Jonathan Jackson told CNN that advocating for his father to lie in honor at the Capitol was an "uncomfortable position" for him. "It's not that my father was a transformative political figure, and so I didn't want to belabor that. My father's done his earthly work, and so he deserves his rest, and I thought it'd have been good for the nation, but history will judge that," he said. Memorial services for Rev. Jackson are planned in Chicago, South Carolina, and Washington, D.C. over the coming weeks.

  • Memorial services for Rev. Jesse Jackson begin on Thursday, February 27 in Chicago.
  • Rev. Jackson will lie in state at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition headquarters on Thursday, February 27 and Friday, February 28.
  • On Monday, March 2, Rev. Jackson will lie in state at the South Carolina Statehouse.
  • Formal services are planned next week in Washington, D.C., before Rev. Jackson's body returns to Chicago.
  • On Friday, March 6, a "People's Celebration" is scheduled for the House of Hope in the South Deering neighborhood, followed by a private "Homegoing Celebration" at Rainbow PUSH Coalition headquarters on Saturday, March 7.

The players

Rep. Jonathan Jackson

Illinois Congressman and the son of the late Rev. Jesse Jackson Jr.

Rev. Jesse Jackson Jr.

A prominent civil rights leader and the founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.

Mike Johnson

The current Speaker of the House of Representatives.

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What they’re saying

“it was a very uncomfortable position for me just advocating for my father.”

— Rep. Jonathan Jackson (CNN)

“It's not that my father was a transformative political figure, and so I didn't want to belabor that. My father's done his earthly work, and so he deserves his rest, and I thought it'd have been good for the nation, but history will judge that.”

— Rep. Jonathan Jackson (CNN)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.