Key takeaways:
- Clarence Thomas released a statement in response to a ProPublica report detailing his and his wife’s trips with Republican donor Harlan Crow.
- Congressional Democrats have called for an investigation into the matter, and the Supreme Court has issued new guidelines clarifying the type of gifts justices must disclose publicly.
- The trips taken by Thomas and his wife have raised questions about the relationship between justices and wealthy donors, and could undermine public confidence in the court.
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has released a statement in response to a ProPublica report detailing his and his wife’s trips with Republican donor Harlan Crow. Thomas said that he was advised that the trips did not require disclosure and that he and his wife consider the Crows to be “dearest friends.”
The ProPublica report outlined trips taken on Crow’s private plane and luxury yacht, as well as vacations to Crow’s private resort in New York and a ranch in Texas. Thomas said that he accepted the trips as “personal hospitality from close personal friends” and that he did not believe he was required to report them.
In response to the report, Congressional Democrats have called for an investigation into the matter. The Supreme Court has since issued new guidelines clarifying the type of gifts justices must disclose publicly. Thomas said that he will comply with the new guidelines.
The trips taken by Thomas and his wife have raised questions about the relationship between justices and wealthy donors. The Supreme Court has long been seen as a nonpartisan institution, and any potential conflicts of interest could undermine public confidence in the court. Thomas has said that he and his wife consider the Crows to be close friends, and that the trips were accepted in that spirit.
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