Credit: Evelyn Hockstein / Reuters
A nearly two-year investigation by Democratic senators of supreme court ethics details more luxury travel by Justice Clarence Thomas and urges Congress to establish a way to enforce a new code of conduct.
Any movement on the issue appears unlikely as Republicans prepare to take control of the Senate in January, underscoring the hurdles in imposing restrictions on a separate branch of government even as public confidence in the court has fallen to record lows.
The 93-page report released on Saturday by the Democratic majority of the Senate judiciary committee found additional travel taken in 2021 by Thomas but not reported on his annual financial disclosure form: a private jet flight to New York’s Adirondacks in July and a jet and yacht trip to New York City sponsored by billionaire Harlan Crow in October, one of more than two dozen times detailed in the report that Thomas took luxury travel and gifts from wealthy benefactors.
The court adopted its first code of ethics in 2023, […]
When the Dems regain power, hopefully, in 2026, they need to pass laws about SCOTUS and ethical behavior. What about taxes that weren’t paid for gifts, trips, etc. that they received and never disclosed. Also, a firm ethical document needs to be drafted and followed as a way to remove those who believe they are above the ethical rules of being a Supreme Court Justice! It’s time for their autocracy to end!!!!