• Investing
  • Stock
Round Table Thoughts
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Home Economy Critics slam latest ProPublica ‘hit piece’ on Justice Clarence Thomas
Economy

Critics slam latest ProPublica ‘hit piece’ on Justice Clarence Thomas

by September 24, 2023
by September 24, 2023 0 comment
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

Critics are pushing back against a ProPublica report criticizing Justice Clarence Thomas for two unreported speaking engagements with a Koch philanthropy group, saying claims of illegality or unethical behavior are ‘false’ that don’t ‘hold water.’

On Friday, ProPublica — which purports to be an independent, non-partisan outlet but has received donations from left-leaning entities — published the latest in a series criticizing Justice Thomas for allegedly violating Supreme Court ethics, which Thomas has denied. 

The Friday report claimed he ‘secretly’ spoke at donor events for a political organization founded by libertarian billionaires Charles and David Koch ‘at least twice over the years.’ But the group, called Stand Together, says the report ‘doesn’t hold water.’ 

‘Journalistic inquiry into the private dealings of public officials is essential for our democracy. But honest inquiry applies the same standard to all people rather than single out those with whom one disagrees,’ Gretchen Reiter, senior vice president of communications at Stand Together, told Fox News Digital.

‘There is a long tradition of public officials, including Supreme Court Justices, sharing their experiences, ideas and judicial philosophy with members of the public at dinners and other event,’ said Reiter. 

‘All of the sitting Justices and many who came before them have contributed to the national dialogue in speeches book tours, and social gatherings. Our events are no different. To claim otherwise is false.’ 

The event in which Justice Thomas attended occurred in January 2018 in Palm Springs, California. ProPublica notes that a Stand Together spokesperson said, ‘Thomas wasn’t present for fundraising conversations.’

‘Stand Together’s January 2018 summit was attended by several hundred people, including members of the media who covered the event,’ Reiter said. 

‘In fact, Stand Together has hosted dozens of summits over decades. The idea that attending a couple events to promote a book or give dinner remarks, as all the justices do, could somehow be undue influence just doesn’t hold water,’ she said. 

Reiter added that Stand Together is a ‘philanthropic community that works with thousands of people to remove the barriers holding people back.’ 

‘Our summits provide a forum for people to learn about how they can partner with one another to solve big problems in our country,’ she said.

ProPublica reported that Leonard Leo, chairman of the conservative legal network the Federalist Society, helped to arrange Justice Thomas’ appearances at the summit. 

But Leo says that ‘all necessary due diligence’ was taken to make sure the justices’ attendance was compliant with ethics rules.

‘Justice Thomas attends events all over the country, as do all the Justices, and I was privileged to join him. Justice Thomas has been a dear friend, and I would never pass up an opportunity to help him share, in his own words, his lifetime of accomplishment and judicial philosophy with new audiences,’ Leo said. 

‘All the necessary due diligence was performed to ensure the Justice’s attendance at the events was compliant with all ethics requirements,’ he added. 

Mark Paoletta, a close friend of Justice Thomas and a lawyer based in Washington, D.C., said that Thomas ‘acted ethically and appropriately,’ contrary to ProPublica’s ‘misleading portrait.’

‘Contrary to the false and misleading portrait by the leftwing, billionaire-funded group ProPublica, Justice Thomas acted ethically and appropriately, and consistent with how many Justices have conducted themselves, as even ProPublica admits,’ Paoletta said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

‘Justice Thomas has given speeches at various events and gatherings across the country. Every Justice does that. This is a good thing, as the Justices should not be cloistered,’ he said. 

Paoletta noted that the ‘Judicial Canons,’ which are part of the code of conduct for federal judges, state that ‘a judge should not become isolated from the society in which the judge lives,’ and encourages justices to speak at organizations dedicated to the law ‘and also engage in a wide range of non-law-related activities.’

In addition, Paoletta notes that justices are not required to disclose every speech or gathering they attend.  

‘Recently, Justice Thomas met at the Court with 60 students from a school in the Bronx. I can’t wait for ProPublica’s expose about Justice Thomas not disclosing this meeting on his form next year,’ he said.

Carrie Severino, president of JCN and former clerk for Justice Thomas, called the article a ‘hit piece.’ 

‘Another day and another hit piece on Justice Thomas from Pro Publica, which is nothing more than a front group for left-wing billionaires and their political agendas,’ she said.

ProPublica notes that Thomas could be a key voice in an upcoming Supreme Court case, Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, which questions a decades-old legal doctrine — the Chevron doctrine — that courts have leaned on to grant authority to executive administrative agencies when a federal regulation is disputed.

Stand Together has financially supported the Cause of Action Institute, the legal organization representing the plaintiffs in the case.

The plaintiffs, a group of New Jersey fishermen, sued the government in 2020, saying that a federal agency requiring them to pay $700 per day for a contractor who monitors their boats to ensure regulatory compliance, is out-of-bounds for a federal agency, and that such a burdensome requirement should be imposed by Congress only.

The fisherman appealed their case to the Supreme Court in 2022. In May, the Supreme Court agreed to hear the case.

‘Loper Bright is a case seeking to restore one of the core tenets of our democracy: that Congress, not the administrative agency, makes the laws. Cause of Action Institute – which filed the lawsuit in 2020 – is representing family-run fishing companies that the federal government is forcing to pay a tax that Congress never authorized, and that violates our Constitution’s separation of powers,’ said Reiter.

This is an area of law that legal experts from different perspectives have long considered in need of clarification,’ she added.

‘The Supreme Court has an opportunity to correct one of the most consequential judicial errors in a generation. Chevron deference has proven corrosive to the American system of checks and balances and directly contributed to an unaccountable executive branch, overbearing bureaucracy, and runaway regulation,’ Cause of Action Institute counsel Ryan Mulvey said in a statement after the high court agreed to take up the case.

Brianna Herlihy is a politics writer for Fox News Digital.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
You Might Also Like
  • Barr warns Trump’s legal team what not to do during possible trial
  • Sens. Rick Scott, Elizabeth Warren propose to replace the Fed’s internal watchdog
  • Biden’s ‘stature’ diminished by classified documents scandal, Sen. Durbin says
  • Truckers fight new hit-and-run law in country with world’s highest road accident-related deaths
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

previous post
Country music’s Maren Morris goes woke, blasts Trump. Why did she take her ’80s Mercedes out of town?
next post
Hungarian foreign minister slams ‘lecturing’ Biden admin, hopes for return to Trump-era

You may also like

Sen Menendez charged with obstruction of justice in another superseding...

March 6, 2024

WATCH: GOP presidential candidate, Trump critic Will Hurd booed off...

July 29, 2023

Labor Market Shows Early Signs of Loosening

January 6, 2023

Nikki Haley bets it all on Super Tuesday after dismal...

February 25, 2024

Quantum Computing Investments: Opportunities & Risks

January 29, 2025

Prosecutors cite Trump’s ‘death’ comment about Milley in repeat request...

October 1, 2023

Supreme Court appears wary of massive tax code overhaul

December 6, 2023

House Republican cracks down on foreign cash funneled into US...

February 1, 2024

Morning Glory: Trump’s short list for vice president all agree...

June 20, 2024

Ramaswamy goes viral following exchange with LGBTQ activist: ‘I respect...

August 16, 2023

    Stay updated with the latest news, exclusive offers, and special promotions. Sign up now and be the first to know! As a member, you'll receive curated content, insider tips, and invitations to exclusive events. Don't miss out on being part of something special.


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Recent Posts

    • Nike pushes back Skims launch with Kim Kardashian due to production delays

      June 19, 2025
    • The Fed Is Getting It Wrong AGAIN As They Hold Rates Steady

      June 19, 2025
    • DOJ seizes record $225 million in crypto tied to global ‘pig butchering’ scams

      June 19, 2025
    • Feeling Unsure About the Stock Market’s Next Move? These Charts Can Help

      June 18, 2025
    • Amazon expects to cut corporate jobs as it relies more on AI

      June 18, 2025

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese...

      June 25, 2024 3,599 views
    • 2

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be...

      June 27, 2024 2,874 views
    • 3

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as...

      August 9, 2024 2,578 views
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful...

      July 10, 2024 2,541 views
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility...

      August 29, 2024 2,416 views

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,140)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,620)

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese businesses to Delaware: ‘Longtime friends’

      June 25, 2024
    • 2

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be revived under new House GOP bill

      June 27, 2024
    • 3

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as Harris camp blasts ‘lying’ critics

      August 9, 2024
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful of Chinese spy threats

      July 10, 2024
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility that collaborated with ‘Chinese military company’

      August 29, 2024

    Latest News

    • Nike pushes back Skims launch with Kim Kardashian due to...

      June 19, 2025
    • The Fed Is Getting It Wrong AGAIN As They Hold...

      June 19, 2025
    • DOJ seizes record $225 million in crypto tied to global...

      June 19, 2025

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,140)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,620)

    Disclaimer: RoundTableThoughts.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2024 RoundTableThoughts.com. All Rights Reserved.

    Round Table Thoughts
    • Investing
    • Stock
    Round Table Thoughts
    • Economy
    • Editor’s Pick

    Read alsox

    Jewish seminary in Israel: Gaza border...

    December 29, 2023

    Talk of Biden replacement heats up...

    June 28, 2024

    Democrat support critical for Johnson’s plan...

    November 14, 2023
    Sign In

    Keep me signed in until I sign out

    Forgot your password?

    Password Recovery

    A new password will be emailed to you.

    Have received a new password? Login here