Conservative pundits and supporters of Justice Clarence Thomas recently lashed out at ProPublica over its latest “hit piece” on the Supreme Court justice.
The news outlet published a series of articles in which it analyzed Thomas’ long career on the bench, including his ties to conservative groups. It accused him of “doctrinal and rhetorical extremism.”
Supporters of Thomas, including Fox News’ Tucker Carlson, called the reporting biased and labeled the articles a “hit piece.” Some also accused ProPublica of racism and claiming Thomas was receiving special treatment.
Commentators have argued that the series was unfair and that it ignored some of Thomas’ more important contributions to the law, such as his dissent in the landmark case of District of Columbia v. Heller, in which Thomas argued that the Second Amendment protects an individual right to bear arms.
In response, ProPublica’s editor-in-chief Richard Tofel defended the reporting, calling it an “important examination of one of the most influential figures on the court.” He noted that it included “perspectives of former Thomas clerks and other scholars as well as his own opinion.”
