![Associate Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas sits with his wife, conservative activist Ginni Thomas, while he waits to speak at the Heritage Foundation on October 21, 2021 in Washington, D.C.](https://www.commondreams.org/media-library/associate-supreme-court-justice-clarence-thomas-sits-with-his-wife-conservative-activist-ginni-thomas-while-he-waits-to-speak.jpg?id=32254178&width=1200&height=400&quality=90&coordinates=0%2C500%2C0%2C500)
Associate Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas sits with his wife, conservative activist Ginni Thomas, while he waits to speak at the Heritage Foundation on October 21, 2021 in Washington, D.C.
'Time to Subpoena Clarence Thomas and Harlan Crow,' Says Watchdog
"Our system of checks and balances demands that the Senate hold the Supreme Court accountable by compelling Thomas to testify publicly," said Stand Up America's Brett Edkins.
With the Democrat-controlled U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee back at full force with the return of Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the progressive group Stand Up America declared Thursday that "it's time to subpoena Clarence Thomas and Harlan Crow," a right-wing Supreme Court justice and his billionaire friend who has spent decades lavishing him with secret gifts.
Facing calls to resign, Feinstein (D-Calif.)—who plans to retire after this term—came back to Capitol Hill this week after being absent for more than two months while recovering from shingles. Although advised by her doctors "to work a lighter schedule" for now, the 89-year-old joined the Senate panel Thursday to advance stalled judicial nominations.
"Now that Sen. Feinstein has returned, Senate Judiciary Democrats have no valid excuse not to subpoena Justice Thomas and begin an aggressive investigation into the extent of his wrongdoing," argued Brett Edkins, Stand Up America's managing director for policy and political affairs.
"Now that Sen. Feinstein has returned, Senate Judiciary Democrats have no valid excuse not to subpoena Justice Thomas."
"Our system of checks and balances demands that the Senate hold the Supreme Court accountable by compelling Thomas to testify publicly," Edkins said. "Harlan Crow, Leonard Leo, and others involved in Thomas' numerous misdeeds should also be forced to answer questions from committee members."
Recent reporting by ProPublica revealed that Crow, a GOP megadonor, has treated Thomas to luxury travel, paid for his grandnephew's private school tuition, and bought and remodeled the justice's mother's home. Crow has also notably given Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee more than $450,000 in campaign cash, collectively.
Amid calls for investigation and even impeachment in response to revelations about Thomas' ties to Crow, The Washington Post reported last week that the justice's wife, Ginni Thomas, received tens of thousands of dollars from a right-wing nonprofit—and Leo used his role as an adviser to the Judicial Education Project to keep her name off the financial records.
"Our nation's highest court must be free from corruption and undue influence," said Edkins. "The Senate Judiciary Committee must use the full extent of its authority to hold Justice Thomas accountable. Anything less would be a dereliction of duty."
The panel, led by Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), isn't alone in probing Crow's gifts to Thomas, which the justice did not disclose. Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) has also set his sights on their relationship.
\u201cCrow predictably spurns Wyden. With Feinstein back, there really is no reason anymore for Dick Durbin not to hold a committee vote to approve a subpoena for this and other information.\u201d— Brian Fallon (@Brian Fallon) 1683681460
After the billionaire's attorney rebuffed Wyden's request for a "full accounting" of gifts he provided to Thomas' family, the senator pledged Tuesday to "send a full response to Mr. Crow's attorney in the coming days" and "discuss with my committee colleagues how best to compel answers to the questions I put forward last month, including by using any of the tools at our disposal."
Concerns about potential conflicts of interest and corruption involving the nation's top court extend beyond Thomas. Reports about Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Neil Gorsuch have also fueled calls for Congress to pass sweeping ethics rules.
Roberts last month
declined Durbin's invitation to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee—and due to Feinstein's absence and Republicans' refusal to allow a temporary replacement on the panel, the chair could not subpoena the chief justice.
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With the Democrat-controlled U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee back at full force with the return of Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the progressive group Stand Up America declared Thursday that "it's time to subpoena Clarence Thomas and Harlan Crow," a right-wing Supreme Court justice and his billionaire friend who has spent decades lavishing him with secret gifts.
Facing calls to resign, Feinstein (D-Calif.)—who plans to retire after this term—came back to Capitol Hill this week after being absent for more than two months while recovering from shingles. Although advised by her doctors "to work a lighter schedule" for now, the 89-year-old joined the Senate panel Thursday to advance stalled judicial nominations.
"Now that Sen. Feinstein has returned, Senate Judiciary Democrats have no valid excuse not to subpoena Justice Thomas and begin an aggressive investigation into the extent of his wrongdoing," argued Brett Edkins, Stand Up America's managing director for policy and political affairs.
"Now that Sen. Feinstein has returned, Senate Judiciary Democrats have no valid excuse not to subpoena Justice Thomas."
"Our system of checks and balances demands that the Senate hold the Supreme Court accountable by compelling Thomas to testify publicly," Edkins said. "Harlan Crow, Leonard Leo, and others involved in Thomas' numerous misdeeds should also be forced to answer questions from committee members."
Recent reporting by ProPublica revealed that Crow, a GOP megadonor, has treated Thomas to luxury travel, paid for his grandnephew's private school tuition, and bought and remodeled the justice's mother's home. Crow has also notably given Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee more than $450,000 in campaign cash, collectively.
Amid calls for investigation and even impeachment in response to revelations about Thomas' ties to Crow, The Washington Post reported last week that the justice's wife, Ginni Thomas, received tens of thousands of dollars from a right-wing nonprofit—and Leo used his role as an adviser to the Judicial Education Project to keep her name off the financial records.
"Our nation's highest court must be free from corruption and undue influence," said Edkins. "The Senate Judiciary Committee must use the full extent of its authority to hold Justice Thomas accountable. Anything less would be a dereliction of duty."
The panel, led by Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), isn't alone in probing Crow's gifts to Thomas, which the justice did not disclose. Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) has also set his sights on their relationship.
\u201cCrow predictably spurns Wyden. With Feinstein back, there really is no reason anymore for Dick Durbin not to hold a committee vote to approve a subpoena for this and other information.\u201d— Brian Fallon (@Brian Fallon) 1683681460
After the billionaire's attorney rebuffed Wyden's request for a "full accounting" of gifts he provided to Thomas' family, the senator pledged Tuesday to "send a full response to Mr. Crow's attorney in the coming days" and "discuss with my committee colleagues how best to compel answers to the questions I put forward last month, including by using any of the tools at our disposal."
Concerns about potential conflicts of interest and corruption involving the nation's top court extend beyond Thomas. Reports about Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Neil Gorsuch have also fueled calls for Congress to pass sweeping ethics rules.
Roberts last month
declined Durbin's invitation to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee—and due to Feinstein's absence and Republicans' refusal to allow a temporary replacement on the panel, the chair could not subpoena the chief justice.
- Critics Say New Revelations in Judicial Record Bolster Case for Thomas Impeachment ›
- Senate Finance Chief Vows to Use All Tools at His Disposal to Get Answers on Thomas 'Corruption' ›
- Billionaire Harlan Crow Also Bankrolled GOP Lawmakers Blocking SCOTUS Ethics Reform ›
- Durbin, Experts Rip Crow Lawyer's Claim That Senate Lacks Authority to Probe Thomas Gifts ›
- Clarence Thomas Gets a Blatant Pass on Corruption ›
- Analysis Reveals How Billionaire GOP Megadonor Harlan Crow Gave Millions to Dark Money Groups ›
- 'Important First Step': Durbin Moves to Subpoena Rich Benefactors of Alito, Thomas ›
- Groups to Senate Dems: Subpoena Harlan Crow and Leonard Leo Now ›
- 'The American People Deserve Answers': Subpoenas Issued for Crow and Leo ›
- 'Lawless Con Man' Leonard Leo Defies Senate Subpoena Over Supreme Court Gifts | Common Dreams ›
- Senate Committee Demands Full List Of Harlan Crow's Gifts To ... ›
- Democrats eye a hearing on Clarence Thomas following gift ... ›
- Senate tax chief says billionaire Crow 'stonewalling' over perks for ... ›
- Asking Clarence Thomas to testify in Senate could spark a ... ›
- Clarence Thomas Friend Acknowledges Harlan Crow Paid Child's ... ›
- Senate Democrats demand more details from Harlan Crow on gifts ... ›
- Senate Democrats Ask Harlan Crow for Details on Gifts to Clarence ... ›
With the Democrat-controlled U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee back at full force with the return of Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the progressive group Stand Up America declared Thursday that "it's time to subpoena Clarence Thomas and Harlan Crow," a right-wing Supreme Court justice and his billionaire friend who has spent decades lavishing him with secret gifts.
Facing calls to resign, Feinstein (D-Calif.)—who plans to retire after this term—came back to Capitol Hill this week after being absent for more than two months while recovering from shingles. Although advised by her doctors "to work a lighter schedule" for now, the 89-year-old joined the Senate panel Thursday to advance stalled judicial nominations.
"Now that Sen. Feinstein has returned, Senate Judiciary Democrats have no valid excuse not to subpoena Justice Thomas and begin an aggressive investigation into the extent of his wrongdoing," argued Brett Edkins, Stand Up America's managing director for policy and political affairs.
"Now that Sen. Feinstein has returned, Senate Judiciary Democrats have no valid excuse not to subpoena Justice Thomas."
"Our system of checks and balances demands that the Senate hold the Supreme Court accountable by compelling Thomas to testify publicly," Edkins said. "Harlan Crow, Leonard Leo, and others involved in Thomas' numerous misdeeds should also be forced to answer questions from committee members."
Recent reporting by ProPublica revealed that Crow, a GOP megadonor, has treated Thomas to luxury travel, paid for his grandnephew's private school tuition, and bought and remodeled the justice's mother's home. Crow has also notably given Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee more than $450,000 in campaign cash, collectively.
Amid calls for investigation and even impeachment in response to revelations about Thomas' ties to Crow, The Washington Post reported last week that the justice's wife, Ginni Thomas, received tens of thousands of dollars from a right-wing nonprofit—and Leo used his role as an adviser to the Judicial Education Project to keep her name off the financial records.
"Our nation's highest court must be free from corruption and undue influence," said Edkins. "The Senate Judiciary Committee must use the full extent of its authority to hold Justice Thomas accountable. Anything less would be a dereliction of duty."
The panel, led by Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), isn't alone in probing Crow's gifts to Thomas, which the justice did not disclose. Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) has also set his sights on their relationship.
\u201cCrow predictably spurns Wyden. With Feinstein back, there really is no reason anymore for Dick Durbin not to hold a committee vote to approve a subpoena for this and other information.\u201d— Brian Fallon (@Brian Fallon) 1683681460
After the billionaire's attorney rebuffed Wyden's request for a "full accounting" of gifts he provided to Thomas' family, the senator pledged Tuesday to "send a full response to Mr. Crow's attorney in the coming days" and "discuss with my committee colleagues how best to compel answers to the questions I put forward last month, including by using any of the tools at our disposal."
Concerns about potential conflicts of interest and corruption involving the nation's top court extend beyond Thomas. Reports about Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Neil Gorsuch have also fueled calls for Congress to pass sweeping ethics rules.
Roberts last month
declined Durbin's invitation to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee—and due to Feinstein's absence and Republicans' refusal to allow a temporary replacement on the panel, the chair could not subpoena the chief justice.
- Critics Say New Revelations in Judicial Record Bolster Case for Thomas Impeachment ›
- Senate Finance Chief Vows to Use All Tools at His Disposal to Get Answers on Thomas 'Corruption' ›
- Billionaire Harlan Crow Also Bankrolled GOP Lawmakers Blocking SCOTUS Ethics Reform ›
- Durbin, Experts Rip Crow Lawyer's Claim That Senate Lacks Authority to Probe Thomas Gifts ›
- Clarence Thomas Gets a Blatant Pass on Corruption ›
- Analysis Reveals How Billionaire GOP Megadonor Harlan Crow Gave Millions to Dark Money Groups ›
- 'Important First Step': Durbin Moves to Subpoena Rich Benefactors of Alito, Thomas ›
- Groups to Senate Dems: Subpoena Harlan Crow and Leonard Leo Now ›
- 'The American People Deserve Answers': Subpoenas Issued for Crow and Leo ›
- 'Lawless Con Man' Leonard Leo Defies Senate Subpoena Over Supreme Court Gifts | Common Dreams ›
- Senate Committee Demands Full List Of Harlan Crow's Gifts To ... ›
- Democrats eye a hearing on Clarence Thomas following gift ... ›
- Senate tax chief says billionaire Crow 'stonewalling' over perks for ... ›
- Asking Clarence Thomas to testify in Senate could spark a ... ›
- Clarence Thomas Friend Acknowledges Harlan Crow Paid Child's ... ›
- Senate Democrats demand more details from Harlan Crow on gifts ... ›
- Senate Democrats Ask Harlan Crow for Details on Gifts to Clarence ... ›