Justice Thomas Law Clerk Carrie Severino talks 2A, Leaks and Judicial Harassment

Published on August 13, 2022
Duration: 10:30

This video features Carrie Severino, President of the Judicial Crisis Network and former law clerk to Justice Clarence Thomas, discussing the importance of the Second Amendment, the influence of Justice Thomas's judicial philosophy, and the concerning trend of judicial harassment. Severino highlights how Justice Thomas's early dissents and concurrences, particularly in the Prince case, laid the groundwork for future Second Amendment victories like Heller and Bruin. She strongly condemns the leak of Supreme Court opinions and protests at justices' homes, arguing these actions undermine judicial independence and the rule of law.

Quick Summary

Carrie Severino emphasizes that protests at Supreme Court justices' homes are illegal intimidation tactics designed to influence rulings through fear, undermining the rule of law and judicial independence. She highlights Justice Thomas's foundational work on Second Amendment rights and condemns the leak of opinions as a threat to judicial integrity.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction
  2. 00:13Interview with Carrie Severino
  3. 00:28Clerking for Justice Thomas
  4. 01:00Justice Thomas's Judicial Philosophy
  5. 01:35Prince Case and Second Amendment
  6. 01:54Heller and Bruin Decisions
  7. 02:43Thomas's Influence Across Legal Areas
  8. 03:44Justice on Trial: Kavanaugh Confirmation
  9. 04:10Supreme Court Leaks and Protests
  10. 04:57Impact of Opinion Leaks
  11. 05:44Protests at Justices' Homes
  12. 06:37Harassment of Justice Barrett's Family
  13. 06:57Judicial Crisis Network Polling
  14. 07:47Politicians' Role in Condemning Harassment
  15. 08:08Gun Rights Cases and Intimidation
  16. 08:33Work with Judicial Crisis Network
  17. 09:05Defending the Rule of Law

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of Justice Clarence Thomas's judicial philosophy regarding the Second Amendment?

Carrie Severino highlights Justice Thomas's consistent application of originalism, which interprets the Constitution based on its original meaning. His early concurrences, like in the Prince case, questioned the scope of the Second Amendment, laying the groundwork for landmark decisions such as Heller, McDonald, and Bruin, which affirmed individual rights to bear arms.

Why are protests at Supreme Court justices' homes considered illegal and harmful?

Protests at justices' homes are illegal because they constitute intimidation aimed at influencing judicial decisions through fear for personal safety. This undermines judicial independence, a cornerstone of the rule of law, as judges should rule based on legal merits, not external pressure or threats to their families.

What impact has the leak of Supreme Court opinions had on the judiciary?

The leak of a Supreme Court opinion is seen as a deliberate act to incite intimidation and potentially sway the outcome of a decision. This action severely erodes trust between justices and their clerks, and among the justices themselves, setting a dangerous precedent for the integrity of the Court.

What is the Judicial Crisis Network's mission and how can people get involved?

The Judicial Crisis Network is dedicated to ensuring judges at federal and state levels remain faithful to the Constitution and the rule of law. They provide updates on their website, judicialnetwork.com, and through their Twitter handles (@CarrieSeverino and @JCN7network), advocating for the enforcement of laws that protect judges and public servants.

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