On Thursday, ProPublica released a bombshell of a report about Supreme Court Associate Justice Clarence Thomas’s predilection for the high life for at least the last two decades, as provided for him by his rich conservative real estate magnate/friend, Harlan Crow.
Thomas enjoyed rides on fancy yachts and private planes, and stays in fabulous lodges without regard for disclosing all but a handful of the goodies handed to him.
On his part, ol’ Harlan says they’re just friends and there’s nothing untoward about a Supreme Court justice being squired around by a GOP megadonor. (This is not new news, save for the fact that when it was first reported 20 years ago, Thomas simply stopped disclosing the gifts — save for two, since 2004, according to the Washington Post — that came his way.)
(This, coupled with the complete lack of regard for the law shown by Thomas’s insurrectionist wife, Ginni, should be more than enough for the once-august Supreme Court to take action. But so far? Crickets.)
Some lawmakers tut-tutted and said there oughta be an ethics code. I’m with AOC. Impeach him. Do it now. The Senate judiciary committee say they “will act.”
Here’s how I see it: If a Tennessee GOP bloc can expel two duly-elected state representatives (both Black, though they let the white woman stay) because they protested on that state’s House floor, why should Thomas be allowed to have a strangle hold on the bench?
Finally, and in closing, I’m just going to leave this here.
…head explodes.
I believe Anita.
It seems like practicing attorneys and judges have to follow ethics rules, but the Supremes don't. Good to know.