Clarence Thomas

U.S. Media

•

10 days

Summary

sources
63
Narrative Items
81
Bottom Line Up Front

63 sources in U.S. Media are amplifying 81 narrative items relating to the narrative of judicial influence and political power dynamics. These narratives explore the complexities of judicial appointments under Biden and Trump, the evolving Supreme Court's alignment with conservative agendas, and the implications for civil rights and free speech, highlighting the interconnectedness of political actions and judicial outcomes.

Reviewing a number of the most relevant narrative items indicates that media portrayals of recent judicial and political events vary significantly across outlets, reflecting differing editorial stances. News One highlights Joe Biden's mixed legacy on judicial appointments, employing a neutral tone while acknowledging both his progress in diversifying the federal bench and the complexities introduced by his veto against the JUDGES Act. In contrast, The Stern Facts sharply critiques Trump's nomination of Steven Bradbury, using loaded language that hints at conspiratorial undertones, thereby framing it in a negative light. Political Wire notes the Supreme Court's alignment with Trump, raising concerns about unchecked power, implying a cautionary stance towards the Court's direction. Newser’s framing of Brenda Andrew's case is more factual, emphasizing the legal ramifications of the ruling, while Florida Politics reflects DeSantis's critical viewpoint on judicial conservatism, portraying his concerns as a potential political rallying point. Conversely, Law Crime Network presents a neutral account of the Supreme Court's actions regarding gun laws, focusing solely on procedural developments. The Wrap adopts a humorous perspective on Jimmy Fallon's commentary about TikTok, while New Republic critiques Judge O'Connor’s ruling as biased, signaling a more negative portrayal of conservative judicial influence. Lastly, New York Post and Fox News Politics share respectful tones regarding significant political ceremonies but reflect underlying tensions in portraying the evolving relationship between the judiciary and the executive branch. This contrast of narratives illustrates how media interpretations can shape public perception of these events, emphasizing the importance of media literacy in discerning biases and identifying the implications of judicial actions on broader societal issues.

About This Module

The U.S. Media module tracks a broad range of American media sources, including major television, cable, print, and online organizations.

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Sources

Sources by Type
Sources of these types represent most of the amplification activity around this narrative
sources by Volume
These sources are amplifying the most items involved in this narrative. Click to see details of each source's narrative activity.
Top sources
Day-by-day volumetric activity of sources amplifying the most items around this narrative
Law Crime Network
5% of the items in this brief were amplified by this source.
Florida Politics
4% of the items in this brief were amplified by this source.
WRAL Raleigh
2% of the items in this brief were amplified by this source.
SCOTUSblog
2% of the items in this brief were amplified by this source.
AlterNet
2% of the items in this brief were amplified by this source.
Rolling Stone
2% of the items in this brief were amplified by this source.
Salon
2% of the items in this brief were amplified by this source.
Virginia Mercury
2% of the items in this brief were amplified by this source.
ArcaMax
2% of the items in this brief were amplified by this source.
Reason
2% of the items in this brief were amplified by this source.
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Top Items

These narrative items are the most relevant and/or the most amplified. Click to see details and suggested messages.
Amplifiers:
News One
newsone.com
Joe Biden’s Judicial Impact: From Clarence Thomas To Ketanji Brown Jackson And Beyond
Joe Biden's judicial legacy is complex. He oversaw Clarence Thomas's controversial confirmation, then, as president, dramatically diversified the federal bench by appointing numerous women, people of color, and public defenders. However, his veto of the JUDGES Act, preventing Trump from appointing judges, complicates his record.
Amplifiers:
The Stern Facts
alternet.org
'Satanic Freemason': Trump supporters lash out over new hire
Trump's nomination of Steven Bradbury as Deputy Secretary of Transportation angered some supporters. Bradbury contributed to Project 2025, a Heritage Foundation plan Trump previously distanced himself from due to its unpopularity. Critics accused Bradbury of self-serving appointments and linked him to a supposed "satanic Freemason" conspiracy.
Amplifiers:
Political Wire
politicalwire.com
The Supreme Court Created a More Powerful President
Eight years ago, the Supreme Court greeted Trump with apprehension. Now, with three Trump-appointed justices and a strengthened conservative wing, the Court largely aligns with his agenda, raising concerns about unchecked presidential power.
Amplifiers:
Newser
newser.com
In SCOTUS Case, a 'Historic Victory for Gender Justice'
The Supreme Court ruled 7-2 that Oklahoma death row inmate Brenda Andrew can proceed with her claim that prosecutors improperly used her sex life against her at trial. This decision overturns a lower court ruling and allows her to argue that her due process rights were violated.
Amplifiers:
Florida Politics
floridapolitics.com
Ron DeSantis delves into Dred Scott decision, SCOTUS pessimism yet again
DeSantis, citing the Dred Scott decision, criticizes the 14th Amendment's interpretation regarding birthright citizenship for children of illegal immigrants. He doubts the Supreme Court's conservatism, expressing concern that it lacks sufficient votes to overturn birthright citizenship for undocumented immigrants without a constitutional amendment. He further criticizes several current justices for not being conservative enough.
Amplifiers:
Law Crime Network
lawandcrime.com
SCOTUS punts on gun case, refuses to fix 'state of disarray' among circuit courts
The Supreme Court avoided resolving conflicting lower court interpretations of the federal felon-in-possession gun law. They remanded the Dubois case back to the Eleventh Circuit for reconsideration in light of the *Rahimi* decision, which clarified the application of the *Bruen* ruling on Second Amendment rights. The Court declined to address the nationwide inconsistencies.
Amplifiers:
The Wrap
thewrap.com
Fallon Finds Comfort in TikTok Ban Knowing When RFK Jr. Takes Office ‘We’ll Still Have Things That Go Viral’ | Video
Jimmy Fallon joked about the impending TikTok ban, suggesting viral content will continue under RFK Jr.'s presidency. He also mocked President Biden and the Supreme Court's hearing, before Bad Bunny joined his monologue.
Amplifiers:
New Republic
newrepublic.com
The Right-Wing Judge on a Mission to Destroy ESG Retirement Planning
Judge Reed O'Connor, known for controversial rulings against the ACA and ICWA, issued a contradictory decision threatening ESG investing. He argued that American Airlines acted improperly regarding BlackRock's ESG initiatives, creating a paradox. O'Connor's history suggests bias towards conservative interests, making this ruling unsurprising.
Amplifiers:
New York Post
nypost.com
Even if TikTok is banned, rivals pose their own dangers to free speech
The Supreme Court upheld a law potentially banning TikTok, despite concerns it violates free speech. While TikTok offered surprisingly open political debate, American tech giants Meta and Alphabet, engage in extensive censorship. The author argues that focusing solely on TikTok ignores the greater threat to free speech posed by these domestic monopolies, urging accountability and transparency from Big Tech.
Amplifiers:
Fox News Politics
foxnews.com
Trump gets inaugurated Monday; here's how the Supreme Court swears in new presidents
Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Kavanaugh will swear in President Trump and Vice President Vance on January 20th. This follows a long tradition, though Trump previously criticized Roberts. The ceremony will be indoors due to cold weather, and the justices may wear traditional skullcaps. The event marks a display of national unity despite political differences.
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Themes

Tap or click for details
These adjacent themes are currently being amplified along with the main narrative. Click to see details of narrative activity related to each one.
Semiautomatic Firearms Ban
Attorney Alan Beck highlights the extensive ban on semiautomatic firearms in the state, which is currently facing heavy litigation.
Biden's Equal Rights Amendment Declaration
In a significant statement, President Biden claims the Equal Rights Amendment is ratified, advocating for equal rights for all Americans.
Former President Trump calls verdict a 'disgrace' and attacks Judge Merchan
Donald Trump expresses disgust over his conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records in historic trial
Supreme Court ruling
The Supreme Court refused to block a Texas law that mandates pornographic websites to verify the age of their users.
Debate over abortion bill classification and its impact on reproductive health care
Physicians and supporters debate the impact of an abortion bill on drug classification and access to reproductive health care, as the bill passes amidst ongoing legal challenges.
Contrasting Trump and Biden's impact on the federal judiciary
Trump and Biden have significantly shaped the federal judiciary through their appointments, with Trump focusing on excellence and diversity, and Biden making his mark with fewer appointments.
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Entities

Tap or click for details
These entities are mentioned most frequently in the narratives highlighted in this brief. Click to see details of narrative activity related to each one.
People
Joe Biden
President of the United States, known for his judicial appointments and veto of the JUDGES Act.
Clarence Thomas
Supreme Court Justice whose confirmation was overseen by Biden.
Steven Bradbury
Deputy Secretary of Transportation nominated by Trump, linked to Project 2025.
Brenda Andrew
Oklahoma death row inmate whose case was ruled on by the Supreme Court.
Ron DeSantis
Governor of Florida, criticized the 14th Amendment's interpretation.
Jimmy Fallon
Comedian who joked about TikTok and political events.
Chief Justice Roberts
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, involved in swearing in Trump.
Justice Kavanaugh
Supreme Court Justice, involved in swearing in Trump.
RFK Jr.
Political figure mentioned in Fallon's joke about TikTok.
Vice President Vance
Vice President to be sworn in alongside Trump.
People
Joe Biden
President of the United States, known for his judicial appointments and veto of the JUDGES Act.
Clarence Thomas
Supreme Court Justice whose confirmation was overseen by Biden.
Steven Bradbury
Deputy Secretary of Transportation nominated by Trump, linked to Project 2025.
Brenda Andrew
Oklahoma death row inmate whose case was ruled on by the Supreme Court.
Ron DeSantis
Governor of Florida, criticized the 14th Amendment's interpretation.
Jimmy Fallon
Comedian who joked about TikTok and political events.
Chief Justice Roberts
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, involved in swearing in Trump.
Justice Kavanaugh
Supreme Court Justice, involved in swearing in Trump.
RFK Jr.
Political figure mentioned in Fallon's joke about TikTok.
Vice President Vance
Vice President to be sworn in alongside Trump.

Context

The issues surrounding Joe Biden's judicial legacy reflect broader demographic, social, economic, political, and military considerations in the United States. Biden's efforts to diversify the federal bench by appointing women and people of color highlight a demographic shift towards inclusivity in governance, which is crucial in a nation with a rapidly changing population. This diversification aims to address historical imbalances and ensure that the judiciary reflects the society it serves.

Politically, the confirmation of justices and the dynamics of the Supreme Court have significant implications for national security and civil rights. The Court's conservative shift, bolstered by Trump’s appointments, raises concerns about the potential for unchecked presidential power and the erosion of civil liberties. The ongoing debates over issues like birthright citizenship and gun rights illustrate the contentious nature of American politics, where interpretations of the Constitution can lead to profound societal impacts.

Geographically, the varying interpretations of laws across states, such as the felon-in-possession gun law, underscore the fragmented legal landscape in the U.S. This inconsistency can complicate national security efforts and law enforcement practices.

Socially, the controversies surrounding figures like Steven Bradbury and the implications of rulings on cases like Brenda Andrew's reflect the intersection of personal narratives and broader societal issues, including gender and race. The discussions around platforms like TikTok also highlight the tension between free speech and regulation in the digital age, emphasizing the need for accountability from tech giants.

Overall, these judicial and political developments are intertwined with demographic changes and reflect the ongoing struggle for equity, representation, and the safeguarding of democratic principles in the U.S.
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