Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito has recused himself from a major climate change case, according to Politico, NBC News, CNN, The Hill, Reuters and Independent Journal Review. The case was set to be heard next week, according to The Hill.
Alito had faced calls to step aside because of his financial holdings in oil and gas companies, according to NBC News, The Hill and Independent Journal Review. The Hill reports Alito has long held individual financial interests in the sector, one of the only justices to do so.
According to Independent Journal Review, the case concerns whether Boulder, Colorado, can pursue climate-damages claims against Exxon Mobil and Suncor Energy.
The Hill and Independent Journal Review both report that the court offered no explanation for Alito's recusal. The Hill notes Alito had previously participated in the vote to take up the dispute, while Independent Journal Review says the effect of his recusal on the case's outcome is unclear.
How each side covered it
Left
- Left-leaning outlets described the move as a reversal by Alito.
- Reports linked the recusal to calls over his oil company stock holdings.
- Coverage framed Alito as a conservative justice stepping aside from a major case.
“In reversal, Justice Samuel Alito steps aside from major climate case” — NBC News
Center
- The Hill reported Alito recused with no explanation after previously voting to take up the case.
- Center outlets noted Alito has long held individual financial interests in oil and gas.
- Reuters and The Hill both confirmed Alito would not participate in the case.
“Alito recuses from case that could toss climate suits against oil companies” — The Hill
Right
- Independent Journal Review identified the case as involving Boulder, Colorado's suit against Exxon Mobil and Suncor Energy.
- Coverage noted the court provided no explanation for the recusal.
- Reports highlighted that the effect on the case's outcome remains unclear.
“Justice Alito Recuses from Major Climate Case” — Independent Journal Review
Questions readers ask
What happened with Justice Alito and the Supreme Court climate case?
Justice Samuel Alito recused himself from a major Supreme Court climate change case after facing calls to step aside over his stock holdings in oil and gas companies, according to multiple outlets.
Why did Alito recuse himself?
Outlets report the recusal followed scrutiny of Alito's financial interests in oil and gas companies, though the court itself offered no explanation, according to The Hill and Independent Journal Review.
What is the climate case about?
According to Independent Journal Review, the case concerns whether Boulder, Colorado, can pursue climate-damages claims against Exxon Mobil and Suncor Energy.
What did left-, center-, and right-leaning outlets focus on?
Left-leaning outlets emphasized the reversal and the oil company stock holdings behind calls for recusal; center outlets detailed the case's timing and Alito's financial history; right-leaning outlets focused on the specific parties involved, Boulder, Exxon Mobil and Suncor Energy, and the unclear impact on the outcome.
What happens next?
The Hill reports the case was set to be heard the following week, though it remains unclear how Alito's recusal will affect the proceedings, according to Independent Journal Review.
Sources · 25 outlet reports
- ABC NewsLeft-leaningAlito steps aside in a major climate case after scrutiny over oil stock holdings
- Associated PressLeft-leaningAlito steps aside in a major climate case after scrutiny over oil stock holdings
- CBS NewsLeft-leaningAlito recuses from major climate change case to be decided by the Supreme Court
- CNNLeft-leaningJustice Samuel Alito recuses himself from major Supreme Court climate change case
- HuffPostLeft-leaningAlito Steps Aside In A Major Climate Case After Previous Resistance
- NBC NewsLeft-leaningIn reversal, Justice Samuel Alito steps aside from major climate case
- PoliticoLeft-leaningAlito bows out of blockbuster Supreme Court climate case
- The GuardianLeft-leaningSamuel Alito steps aside in a major climate case amid scrutiny over oil stock holdings
- The New RepublicLeft-leaningSamuel Alito Does the Right Thing for a Change
- The New York TimesLeft-leaningJustice Alito Recuses Himself Days Before Major Climate-Change Case
- CNBCCenterSupreme Court Justice Alito will not participate in big climate change case next week
- ForbesCenterSamuel Alito Won’t Hear Major Case That Could Impact His Oil And Gas Investments
- NewsNationCenterAlito recuses from case that could toss climate suits against oil companies
- NewsweekCenterJustice Alito steps aside from major Supreme Court climate case
- ReutersCenterUS Supreme Court's Alito won't participate in climate case involving oil companies
- The HillCenterAlito recuses from case that could toss climate suits against oil companies
- UPICenterJustice Samuel Alito recuses from Supreme Court climate case
- Independent Journal ReviewRight-leaningJustice Alito Recuses from Major Climate Case
- Just the NewsRight-leaningAlito recuses self in climate suit
- NewsmaxRight-leaningJustice Alito Steps Aside From Major US Climate Case
- PJ MediaRight-leaningSupreme Court Justice Samuel Alito Recuses Himself From a Major Climate Case
- ReasonRight-leaningAs Suncor Approaches, Justice Alito Recuses
- The Daily CallerRight-leaningSupreme Court Justice Recuses Himself From Landmark Case
- The Washington TimesRight-leaningJustice Alito recuses from major climate-change case to be heard next week
- Washington ExaminerRight-leaningSamuel Alito recuses himself from major Supreme Court climate change case