Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is facing backlash for hiring an aide who once sent multiple offensive text messages, including one that read, “I HATE BLACK PEOPLE.”
Crystal Clanton, previously 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 the Antonin Scalia School of Law at George Mason University, Clanton’s alma mater. .
His previous hires sparked complaints from Democratic lawmakers that led to an investigation into misconduct (ultimately dismissed) by the jurists.
The controversy over Clanton’s hiring arose from her time as national field director for the conservative student group Turning Point USA.
In a 2017 New Yorker magazine article examining the group, journalist Jane Mayer reported that Clanton had sent a text message to a colleague that said, “I HATE BLACK PEOPLE… I hate black people.” 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 6-3 conservative majority, according to the Antonin Scalia School of Law at George Mason University, Clanton’s alma mater. .
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is facing backlash for hiring an aide who once sent multiple offensive text messages, including one that read, “I HATE BLACK PEOPLE.”
Another report on Clanton’s relationship with the Thomases in mediate alleged that he posted a photo of a man who appears to be Arab in a Snapchat group with the caption: “Just thinking of ways to do another 9/11.”
Clanton told the New Yorker in 2017 that he 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 help with media ventures.
Judge Thomas has said Clanton lived in his home for almost a year, and one report says he “regularly spends personal time at the couple’s home” and that he “idolizes” Thomas’ wife.
After reports emerged that Pryor planned to hire Clanton as clerk, Democratic lawmakers on the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, including Reps. Jerrold Nadler and Hank Johnson, in 2021 called on the federal judiciary to investigate to Maze and Pryor.
They said the two judges’ hiring of Clanton threatened to “seriously undermine the public’s faith in the federal judiciary.”
The New York-based 2nd U.S. Circuit Judicial Council, which considered the case due to conflicts in the 11th Circuit, refused last year to change an earlier 2022 decision dismissing the misconduct claim, putting end to the matter.
Judge Thomas, in a letter published by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2022, defended Clanton and said he had recommended that Pryor hire her.
Judge Thomas has said Clanton lived in his home for almost a year.
The controversy over Clanton’s hiring arose from her time as national field director for the conservative student group Turning Point USA.
In a 2017 New Yorker magazine article examining the group, journalist Jane Mayer reported that Clanton had sent a text message to a colleague that said, “I HATE BLACK PEOPLE… I hate black people.” End of story.’
After resigning from Turning Point, Clanton was hired by Ginni Thomas to help with media ventures.
“Intolerance is the antithesis of his 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 United States Circuit Judge William Pryor of the United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit, based in Atlanta. Both were appointed by Republican presidents.
Pryor, in a statement provided by the Virginia-based law school, called Clanton “an exceptional paralegal.”
Clanton and the Supreme Court press office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
