House Democrats urge DOJ to probe Clarence Thomas.
A Call for Investigation into Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas
A group of House Democrats, led by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), has written a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland, urging the Department of Justice to conduct an investigation into Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.
The letter follows a recent report by ProPublica, published on Thursday, which alleges that Thomas has accepted numerous luxury vacations and extravagant gifts that were previously undisclosed. According to the report, Thomas has enjoyed at least 38 vacations, 26 international private jet flights (plus an additional eight by helicopter), 12 VIP passes to sporting events, and two resort stays during his tenure on the court. The report also uncovers his connections to several billionaire benefactors.
Democrats Argue Violations of Ethics in Government Act
Democrats argue that Thomas has failed to disclose this information for decades, in violation of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978. They emphasize that such violations can carry both civil and criminal legal penalties.
“Justice Thomas’s consistent failure to disclose gifts and benefits from industry magnates and wealthy, politically active executives highlights a blatant disregard for judicial ethics as well as apparent legal violations,” state the Democrats in their letter. “No individual, regardless of their position or stature, should be exempt from legal scrutiny for lawbreaking.”
In addition to Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, the letter is signed by Reps. Jerry Nadler (D-NY), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Ted Lieu (D-CA), and Hank Johnson (D-GA).
ProPublica had previously reported earlier this year that Thomas had accepted luxury trips and gifts from billionaire GOP donor Harlan Crow, which were not disclosed in his financial forms. The outlet also published an article detailing a luxury fishing trip that Justice Samuel Alito accepted in 2008.
“The integrity of our judicial system hinges on the impartiality and transparency of its members,” write the lawmakers. “As a Supreme Court justice and high constitutional officer, Justice Thomas should be held to the highest standard, not the lowest—and he certainly shouldn’t be allowed to violate federal law.”
Cassie Severino, leader of the Judicial Crisis Network and a former clerk for Thomas, responded on social media, stating, “If you had a team of journalists constantly digging for supposed ‘ethics’ violations involving Justices Sotomayor, Kagan, Jackson, or Ginsburg and Breyer when they were on the Court, you would find the same and more.”
“But left-wing dark money backed ProPublica is singularly interested in targeting the conservatives on the Court, and Justice Thomas is their number #1 target because the Left hates him the most,” she added.
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