Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is under fire for failing to disclose multiple private jet trips funded by conservative megadonor Harlan Crow. A Senate investigation has revealed three additional unreported trips, raising questions about the ethical standards of the highest court in the United States.
Key Takeaways
- Clarence Thomas failed to report at least three private jet trips funded by Harlan Crow.
- The trips were to Glacier National Park, Washington D.C., and Georgia.
- Senate Democrats are pushing for an enforceable code of conduct for Supreme Court justices.
- The investigation has intensified calls for the Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act.
Undisclosed Trips and Ethical Concerns
A Senate investigation has uncovered that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas took three additional private jet trips funded by conservative megadonor Harlan Crow. These trips were not included in Thomas’ annual financial disclosures, raising ethical concerns. The trips were to Glacier National Park in Montana, Washington D.C., and Georgia.
Thomas’ relationship with Crow has been under scrutiny for some time. Previous reports by ProPublica revealed that Thomas had accepted various lavish gifts from Crow, including private jet rides, luxury yacht trips, expensive vacations, and even tuition payments. Last week, Thomas disclosed two additional trips to Bali and California in 2019, claiming they were "inadvertently omitted" from earlier disclosures.
Senate Investigation and Reactions
The Senate Judiciary Committee, led by Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), is investigating potential ethics violations stemming from Thomas’ relationship with Crow. Durbin stated that the investigation aims to provide the American public with greater clarity on the ethical lapses by Supreme Court justices and the need for ethics reform.
Durbin emphasized the necessity for an enforceable code of conduct for the Supreme Court, noting that Chief Justice Roberts has yet to implement such a code despite ongoing scandals and low approval ratings for the court. The Senate Democrats are pushing for the Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act to become law.
Public and Judicial Reactions
The revelations have intensified calls for a binding code of conduct for Supreme Court justices. Recently, flags associated with the 2020 "Stop The Steal" movement were seen outside homes belonging to Justice Samuel Alito, further fueling the debate.
In an undercover recording, Alito complained about well-funded ideological groups attacking the court. He specifically mentioned ProPublica’s extensive investigations into Clarence Thomas and himself, suggesting that these groups are looking for any minor issue to exploit.
Financial Discrepancies and Future Implications
The newly revealed trips add to the growing list of undisclosed gifts and travel enjoyed by Thomas. Reports indicate that Thomas has accepted more than $4 million in gifts since his appointment to the Supreme Court. In contrast, his fellow justices have accepted gifts valued at a combined total of $248,000.
Harlan Crow has spent over $16 million supporting conservative political causes, according to watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. Despite the ongoing investigation, Crow has stated that he has never discussed judicial matters with Thomas.
The Senate Judiciary Committee’s investigation continues, and the pressure mounts for the Supreme Court to adopt stricter ethical guidelines. The outcome of this investigation could have significant implications for the future conduct and transparency of the nation’s highest court.
Sources
- Clarence Thomas Was Gifted Even More Private Jet Trips Than We Knew, Yahoo.
- Clarence Thomas Failed To Report 3 Other Private Jet Trips, Senate Committee Says, Yahoo.
- Clarence Thomas Was Gifted Even More Private Jet Trips Than We Knew, Rolling Stone.
- Clarence Thomas Failed To Report 3 Other Private Jet Trips | HuffPost Latest News, HuffPost.
- Clarence Thomas took more trips on megadonor’s private plane, McDowell News.