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Senate Democrats Question Justice Clarence Thomas Amid Reports of Undisclosed Gifts
Senate Democrats are scrutinizing Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas following allegations that he did not disclose luxury travel, gifts, and a real estate transaction tied to GOP donor Harlan Crow. However, their investigative strategy remains vague.
Senate Judiciary Chairman Dick Durbin has announced a forthcoming committee hearing to address these alleged ethical lapses but has yet to provide specifics. When asked if subpoenas would be issued, Durbin said it was too soon to say and urged Chief Justice John Roberts to initiate an investigation.
“The American people deserve all of the facts surrounding Justice Thomas’s blatant violation of law,” stated Sen. Richard Blumenthal, who suggested that Thomas and Crow should voluntarily appear or be subpoenaed.
Mitch McConnell, Senate Minority Leader, criticized Democrats for their approach, reasserting his trust in the Supreme Court’s ability to self-regulate under Chief Justice Roberts.
Republicans Defend Thomas and Say SCOTUS Can Address Ethics Internally
Most Republicans have defended Thomas, arguing that congressional intervention in Supreme Court ethics is unnecessary. Senator Josh Hawley labeled the allegations as part of a long-term effort by liberal groups to discredit Thomas.
Thomas claimed that his omission of gifts and travel from his financial disclosures was based on guidance suggesting he wasn’t required to report “personal hospitality.” He now plans to amend these disclosures following revised guidelines from the Judicial Conference.
Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) provided a rare dissenting view among Republicans, remarking, “If the reports are accurate, it stinks.”
Past bipartisan efforts for Supreme Court transparency have stalled, with partisan divides exacerbated by recent rulings that overturned abortion rights and restricted gun regulations.
Amid these tensions, Senate Democrats are emphasizing the necessity of a stringent ethical code for the Supreme Court, despite their lack of consensus on further actions regarding Thomas.
“The Supreme Court doesn’t need to wait on Congress to clean up its act; the justices could take action today if they wanted to, and if the court fails to act, Congress must,” Durbin asserted.
Nevertheless, key Republican figures, including South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, prefer that the Supreme Court handle its ethical issues internally, reflecting the broader GOP sentiment.
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