NPR Retracts False Report on Justice Samuel Alito’s Retirement

Shannon Bream emphasized Justice Samuel Alito’s firm dissent on the Supreme Court’s ruling about birthright citizenship. Justice Alito voiced concerns over national security risks, pointing to scenarios where children born in the U.S. to foreign or undocumented mothers could pose threats. He argued that this decision might be a ‘strong incentive’ for illegal immigration, potentially impacting the country’s future.

On Tuesday, NPR retracted a false report claiming Justice Alito’s retirement. The report, titled ‘Justice Samuel Alito, who wrote the opinion overturning Roe v. Wade, retires,’ began with a misheard announcement.

NPR said Nina Totenberg, a legal affairs correspondent, misinterpreted Chief Justice John Roberts’ announcement about retirements on the Supreme Court’s last session day. NPR had pre-written stories about Alito’s career, a common practice for significant retirements or notable figures’ deaths.

Totenberg explained the error on ‘All Things Considered,’ calling it ‘entirely on me’ and a ‘rookie mistake.’ She then read a letter she wrote to Justice Alito, apologizing. In the letter, she admitted assuming something, a mistake reporters should avoid. She noted she had not received a response from Alito and did not expect one.

“Dear Justice Alito, there are no words to adequately apologize for today’s error in reporting your retirement. It was entirely my fault,” she stated.

Krishnadev Calamur, NPR Executive Editor, expressed regret over the error, saying Totenberg apologized to Alito. Top NPR editor Thomas Evans also addressed the mistake, emphasizing that neither Justice Alito nor the Supreme Court had announced his retirement.

According to sources, Alito is not stepping down, as he is hiring clerks for the next term. He has been part of the Court since 2005, appointed by President George W. Bush.

NPR corrected the error quickly, removing the false story from its site and broadcasting the correction. NPR Public Editor Kelly McBride noted the mistake resulted from an honest misunderstanding and a rush to publish.

Though speculation about Alito’s retirement exists, partly due to his age and tenure, he remains active on the bench.