'I think he hates himself': SCOTUS Justice Clarence Thomas under fire for hiring clerk accused of sending racist texts

WASHINGTON, DC: Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is once again facing scrutiny following his decision to appoint Crystal Clanton, a recent graduate of the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University, as one of his law clerks.

Clanton's association with Turning Point USA (TPUSA), a conservative youth organization, and the subsequent revelation of her racially charged remarks have ignited controversy surrounding her hiring.

Troubling past and racist texts

The Antonin Scalia Law School's announcement of Clanton's hiring on Friday, February 23, has triggered debate, particularly given her contentious history. Clanton's involvement with TPUSA came under intense scrutiny in 2017 when investigative journalist Jane Mayer uncovered a series of racist texts she had sent to a colleague.

In one message, Clanton reportedly expressed vitriolic sentiments, stating, "I HATE BLACK PEOPLE. Like, f**k them all . . . I hate blacks. End of story."

She later denied recalling these messages, telling the magazine that she had “no recollection of these messages and they do not reflect what I believe or who I am and the same was true when I was a teenager".

Despite her denial, Clanton resigned from TPUSA but soon found employment assisting Ginni Thomas, Justice Thomas' wife and a prominent conservative activist, Vanity Fair reported.

Clanton's hiring has raised eyebrows not only due to her past conduct but also because of her close ties to TPUSA and its founder, Charlie Kirk. During her tenure at TPUSA, Clanton served as the national field director until her departure in 2017.

The organization faced intense scrutiny following Mayer's investigation, which uncovered not only Clanton's racist texts but also her involvement in controversial personnel decisions, including the termination of an employee who claimed to be the organization's only Black staff member.

Despite the controversy surrounding Clanton's hiring, she was selected to clerk for Judge William H Pryor Jr, a conservative judge with significant connections to the Supreme Court.

The decision prompted seven members of Congress to demand an investigation into Clanton's hiring, saying her clerkship threatened “to undermine the public’s faith in the judiciary seriously” as well as Pryor’s ability to rule impartially “in cases where race, religion or national origin plays a role".

Subsequent inquiries, however, cleared Pryor and another judge Clanton clerked for of any wrongdoing.

In a letter submitted to the court, Justice Thomas defended Clanton, dismissing the allegations against her as "grossly out of character and unfounded." He wrote, “I know Crystal Clanton, and I know bigotry. Bigotry is antithetical to her nature and character.”

Thomas concluded the letter by declaring his “intention to consider her for a clerkship should she perform as I expect and excel in her clerkships.”

“I had high expectations for her on the Eleventh Circuit,” Judge Pryor said following Scalia Law’s announcement of Clanton’s new clerkship. “And she exceeded those expectations. Crystal is an outstanding law clerk.”

Internet slams Justice Thomas for hiring Clanton as law clerk

Justice Thomas's support for Clanton has been met with criticism on social media.

"Someone should tell him he’s black," one posted on X.

"To be fair, Thomas also hates black people," another alleged.

"He's disgusting. He in no way should have ever been a Supreme Court judge at all. I think he hates himself," someone else offered.

"Thomas has always been a troll. He's not a serious justice," another added.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.