NPR Retracts False Report on Justice Alito Retirement

Shannon Bream focused on Justice Samuel Alito’s dissent concerning birthright citizenship. He expressed concerns about national security, implying potential threats from children born in the U.S. to foreign nationals or undocumented immigrants. Alito suggested this could encourage illegal entry and impact the nation’s future.

NPR faced a setback when it falsely reported that Justice Alito was retiring. The headline, “Justice Samuel Alito, who wrote the opinion overturning Roe v. Wade, retires,” emerged from a misunderstood announcement. The mishap originated when NPR legal affairs correspondent Nina Totenberg misinterpreted Chief Justice John Roberts’ mention of retirement announcements.

NPR explained that it had a detailed story prepared for Alito’s career, a normal practice in news reporting. Prepared stories are common for significant retirements and deaths of prominent figures. Totenberg, during “All Things Considered,” took responsibility, acknowledging the misjudgment as a “rookie mistake.” She read a letter of apology addressed to Alito on air, indicating she hadn’t expected a response from the justice.

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

NPR publicly apologized for the error. Executive Editor Krishnadev Calamur confirmed Totenberg’s personal apology to Alito. Calamur noted a swift correction online and on air once the error was identified. NPR’s editor’s note replaced the incorrect story shortly after its publication.

Nina Totenberg, an experienced Supreme Court reporter for NPR since 1975, thought her coverage was accurate. NPR’s announcement said that once the mistake was noted, adjustments occurred rapidly. NPR’s Public Editor Kelly McBride acknowledged the error resulted from haste. She stated that had the report been true, it would have quickly spread across major newsrooms.

The speculation about Justice Alito’s retirement stemmed from discussions of his age and tenure. Appointed in 2005 by President George W. Bush, Alito has served on the Supreme Court for over two decades. Some suggest he might plan retirement contingent on a conservative replacement under a Republican-led Senate.