ProPublica article on NC Supreme Court Chief Justice Newby

[Icky Mettle]

I don’t think we have a NC Judiciary thread, so I’ll start a new thread about this article:

“Biblical Justice, Equal Justice, for All”: How North Carolina’s Chief Justice Transformed His State and America

Paul Newby, a born-again Christian, has turned his perch atop North Carolina’s Supreme Court into an instrument of political power. Over two decades, he’s driven changes that have reverberated well beyond the borders of his state.

www.propublica.org

Disturbing stuff IMO. While there’s a lot to take from it, I found this passage notable:

When ProPublica emailed questions to Newby’s daughter, the North Carolina Republican Party’s communications director, Matt Mercer, responded, writing that ProPublica was waging a “jihad” against “NC Republicans,” which would “not be met with dignifying any comments whatsoever.”

“I’m sure you’re aware of our connections with the Trump Administration and I’m sure they would be interested in this matter,” Mercer said in his email. “I would strongly suggest dropping this story.”

To tell Newby’s story, ProPublica interviewed over 70 people who know him professionally or personally, including former North Carolina justices and judges, lawmakers, longtime friends and family members. Many requested anonymity, saying they feared that he or his proxies would retaliate against them through the courts’ oversight system, the state bar association or the influence he wields more broadly.

 

[1moretimeagain]

 

[4thgenheel]

absolutely nauseating.

newby is a perfect little microcosm of modern conservatism. fundamentalist religious freak whose behavior is not remotely christ-like. rules for thee, not for me. and in constant search of a superior moral justification for his selfishness.

he and his ilk want to enforce a christian version of sharia law in our society.

 

[heelinhell]

absolutely nauseating.

newby is a perfect little microcosm of modern conservatism. fundamentalist religious freak whose behavior is not remotely christ-like. rules for thee, not for me. and in constant search of a superior moral justification for his selfishness.

he and his ilk want to enforce a christian version of sharia law in our society.

inch by inch , step by step to the establishment of a Christian theocratic autocracy

 

[GoHeelsweeeehoooo]

Had no idea how much of an asshole this guy is

 

[nycfan]

 

[Oddball]

Disgusting (but predictable) wrapping of their corruption in the cloth of Christianity.

Scary how much worse this can and likely will get

 

[JCTarheel82]

The GQP seemingly has an endless supply of political super villains. I was already aware of Newby but now I have to add this Matt Mercer troglodyte to the list.

 

[Mulberry Heel]

Phil Berger & other NC Trumplicans actually moved Newby's re-election date from 2026 to 2028 so they could keep him around longer. I'm wondering what shenanigans they'll pull to ensure that they maintain their control of the NC Supreme Court in the 2028 elections. You know it's coming - the only hope NC Democrats have to ever regain control of the state legislature is to win back control of the State Supreme Court and have them force the legislature to redraw districts. Of course Republicans would fight it like hell, but it's the NC Democrats only chance at being anything other than an increasingly powerless permanent minority, even with control of the governor's mansion. I doubt the NC GOP will be willing to let Newby lose that race if they can avoid it, and they'll do whatever it takes to keep him and a GOP majority on that court.

 

[donbosco]

From Thomas Mills...

Newby disrobed

A profile of NC Chief Justice Paul Newby exposes his bare-knuckled politics justified by his extremist religious beliefs.

open.substack.com

 

[Zoo_View]

Phil Berger & other NC Trumplicans actually moved Newby's re-election date from 2026 to 2028 so they could keep him around longer. I'm wondering what shenanigans they'll pull to ensure that they maintain their control of the NC Supreme Court in the 2028 elections. You know it's coming - the only hope NC Democrats have to ever regain control of the state legislature is to win back control of the State Supreme Court and have them force the legislature to redraw districts. Of course Republicans would fight it like hell, but it's the NC Democrats only chance at being anything other than an increasingly powerless permanent minority, even with control of the governor's mansion. I doubt the NC GOP will be willing to let Newby lose that race if they can avoid it, and they'll do whatever it takes to keep him and a GOP majority on that court.

The GOP campaign to keep control of the courts will be cultural as hell…..lots of trans in sports and bathrooms….migrant caravans……gays and queers…….law & order with an emphasis on ORDER…..the tragic stabbing of the young woman in Charlotte will feature prominently with claims that Democrats are soft on crime.