North Carolina GOP Threatens Reporter Citing Trump Administration Ties Amid Gerrymandering Coverage

Republican Party officials in North Carolina have reportedly used their connections to President Donald Trump's administration to threaten journalists investigating conservative figures. ProPublica reporter Doug Bock Clark experienced such pressure while working on a detailed story about Paul Newby, the Republican chief justice of North Carolina's Supreme Court, who has wielded significant influence by promoting "biblical justice" and enabling partisan gerrymandering. Newby's decisions facilitated the Republican-controlled legislature in creating skewed electoral maps that secured additional GOP seats in the U.S. House, reinforcing the party's national power during Trump's second term. This consolidation of power has allowed conservatives to dominate state supreme courts, impacting rulings on abortion, LGBTQ+ rights, and voting rights. Despite extensive efforts, Newby and his office declined to engage with the reporter, illustrating the challenges journalists face when covering politically sensitive subjects tied to the current administration. The situation exemplifies broader concerns about political influence obstructing critical media scrutiny.