Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is facing backlash for hiring an assistant who once sent several offensive text messages, including one that read, “I HATE BLACK PEOPLE.”
Crystal Clanton, who had previously been hired by two federal judges as a law clerk, was hired by Thomas, a Black member of the court’s 6-3 conservative majority, according to George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia Law School, the alma mater of Clanton.
Her previous hires prompted complaints from Democratic lawmakers that led to a misconduct investigation into the lawyers, which was ultimately dismissed.
The controversy over Clanton’s hiring stemmed from her time as national field director for the conservative student group Turning Point USA.
In a 2017 New Yorker magazine story investigating the group, journalist Jane Mayer reported that Clanton had sent a text message to a colleague saying, “I HATE BLACK PEOPLE…I hate blacks.” End of story.’
Crystal Clanton, previously hired by two federal judges as a law clerk, was hired by Thomas, a Black member of the court’s conservative majority, according to the Antonin Scalia Law School of George Mason University, Clanton’s alma mater
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is facing backlash for hiring an assistant who once sent several offensive text messages, including one that read, “I HATE BLACK PEOPLE.”
A further report on Clanton’s relationship with the Thomases in Mediaite claimed that she posted a photo of a man who appears to be Arab to a group Snapchat with the caption, “Just thinking about ways to do another 9/11.”
Clanton told the New Yorker in 2017 that she did not remember the messages and that they “do not reflect what I believe or who I am.”
After resigning from Turning Point, Clanton was hired by Ginni Thomas to assist with media ventures.
Judge Thomas has said Clanton lived in their home for almost a year, with a report stating that she “regularly spends personal time at the couple’s home” and that she “adores” Thomas’ wife.
After reports emerged that Pryor planned to hire Clanton as a law clerk, Democratic lawmakers on the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee, including Reps. Jerrold Nadler and Hank Johnson, asked the federal judiciary in 2021 to appoint Maze and Pryor to investigate.
They said the two justices’ appointment of Clanton “threatened to seriously undermine public confidence in the federal judiciary.”
The New York-based 2nd US Circuit Judicial Council, which took up the case due to conflicts in the 11th Circuit, last year declined to change an earlier 2022 decision dismissing the misconduct complaint, ending the case.
Judge Thomas defended Clanton in a letter reported by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2022, saying he recommended Pryor hire her.
Judge Thomas said Clanton lived in their home for almost a year
The controversy over Clanton’s hiring stemmed from her time as national field director for the conservative student group Turning Point USA.
In a 2017 New Yorker magazine story investigating the group, journalist Jane Mayer reported that Clanton had sent a text message to a colleague saying, “I HATE BLACK PEOPLE…I hate blacks.” End of story.’
After resigning from Turning Point, Clanton was hired by Ginni Thomas to assist with media ventures
“Intolerance is contrary to its nature and character,” Thomas wrote.
Clanton also previously worked for Thomas’ wife Ginni, a conservative activist, and once lived with the Thomases.
After graduating from law school in 2022, Clanton clerked for U.S. District Judge Corey Maze in Birmingham, Alabama.
She then clerked for Chief U.S. Circuit Judge William Pryor of the Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Both were appointed by Republican presidents.
Pryor called Clanton “an outstanding law clerk” in a statement released by the Virginia-based law school.
Clanton and the Supreme Court’s press office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.