House Democrats Urge Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas to Recuse Himself from Case Involving Former President Donald Trump’s Immunity from Federal Prosecution

Eight House Democrats are calling on Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas to recuse himself from a case involving former President Donald Trump’s immunity from federal prosecution. In a letter dated December 15, the group, led by Georgia Rep. Hank Johnson, raised “serious questions” about Thomas’ ability to remain impartial due to the activities of his wife, Ginni Thomas, after the 2020 election.

The Democrats pointed to the new code of conduct adopted by the Supreme Court in November, which states that justices should recuse themselves from cases in which their impartiality might be questioned. They cited Thomas’ decades-long friendship with real estate tycoon Harlan Crow and Samuel Alito’s luxury travel with billionaire Paul Singer as examples of potential influence and ethical issues at the nation’s highest court.

The letter also noted that Thomas had recently started raising his young grandnephew, and his wife was soliciting donations for a political action committee that supported Trump’s efforts to overturn the election results. In addition, the group pointed to Thomas’ financial situation in early January 2000, when he was hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt and staying at a five-star beach resort in Sea Island, Georgia.

The Democrats argued that Thomas’ financial situation and his wife’s political activities raise questions about his impartiality and should lead him to recuse himself from the case. They urged the Supreme Court to take the necessary steps to ensure that the case is heard by impartial justices.

The Supreme Court has yet to respond to the Democrats’ request. The case is expected to be heard in the coming weeks.