Can Justice Clarence Thomas Be Held Accountable for Secret Dealings with Billionaire GOP Megadonor?
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- Опубліковано 28 вер 2024
- We speak with longtime Supreme Court reporter Dahlia Lithwick about the mounting evidence of apparent financial impropriety by the court's conservatives. ProPublica recently reported that Republican billionaire Harlan Crow paid two years of private school tuition for Clarence Thomas's grandnephew - payments that Thomas did not include on his annual financial disclosures. This comes after previous reporting revealed Crow also paid money to Thomas and his relatives in an undisclosed real estate deal, and that Thomas accepted luxury travel from Crow virtually every year for decades, while failing to follow a federal law that requires him to publicly report most gifts. Meanwhile, The Washington Post reports conservative judicial activist Leonard Leo arranged for Thomas's wife, Ginni Thomas, to be paid at least $80,000 for consulting work over a decade ago and asked that the payments not specify Ginni Thomas's name in any paperwork. Thomas later cast the deciding vote in a 5-4 ruling that gutted the Voting Rights Act of 1965, in a case supported by Leo and his conservative legal network. "Members of the Senate are beginning to understand that it is going to be incumbent on them to step in and issue some ethics rules or demand that the court issue ethics rules for itself," says Lithwick, who covers the courts and the law for Slate and hosts the podcast Amicus.
Transcript: www.democracyn...
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My trip to the Maldives in a private jet must have slipped my mind,... said no one ever.
There needs to be a repeal of “Citizens United” and legislation that makes it illegal for elected officials and appointed judges and elected officials to comply with STRICT ETHICS rules. We need to get big business the HELL OUT OF OUR elections. WE THE PEOPLE are who VOTE for our representatives and our “representatives” (both “republican” and “democrat”) can be bought and paid for. VOTE them all out and vote in representatives loyal to THE PEOPLE!!!
No hidden Deep State donors, and no stock trading by Congress aka using wire intelligence to play the stock market. Trump used to tweet to move the market... What a scam.
no need to bother Mike, this country is already in the sh*tter ~ no ethics or morals or sense of dignity anymore, America will fall.
CITIZEN'S UNITED IS THE
EPITOME OF WHAT
AMERICA SHOULD BE 100%
AGAINST
GINNI THE WHACKO FROM OMAHA HAHAHA
FRANKLIN SCANDAL.
THINK ABOUT IT .
SELF-LOATHING
IS CLARENCE THE CLOWN'S DEAL
GINNI WANTWD TO BEEHIVE PHYLLIS
SCHAFLY 'S
DOPPELGANGER FROM NEBRASKA.
As you can see the courts, the Congress, and also the presidency is ALL CORRUPT.
end citizens united , the glass steagall and fractional reserve banking we might have a chance as a country.
Am I supposed to believe that a Supreme Court Justice couldn't afford to pay for his own grand-nephew's schooling making $274,000.00 a year?
Aw, c'mon now, not and pay for all those vacations! They have NO SHAME.
Under what circumstance would someone pay for an already rich persons family education?
A favor like that must be returned with favor.
But... the kid was at-risk! He was being raised by evil corrupt politicians!
that's their story and prefer to stick with it eventhough it is a bold faced Lie!
Thomas compares himself to regular people, having a yearly wage of 274 thousand, greatly out of touch? His wife involved with Defendant 45 on J6 and still isn’t investigated? The level of acceptable corruption in Washington DC only increases and status prevents holding them accountable? Thomas should be impeached, and other judges investigated? I jest, because I’ve lost confidence in the DOJ because even those in Congress complicit with J6 remain untouched?
I just can’t believe that ANYONE in America gets to be appointed a lifetime job! I expect them to be the most unbiased, law abiding, virtuous, noble people, who are overflowing with integrity, and Clarence Thomas is the opposite of that! His wife is, too! He should be forced to resign immediately
I guess it comes down to 2 trains of thought. “I’ve got a lifetime appointment so I’m going to do what’s right no matter what“ or “I’ve got a lifetime appointment so I’ll engage in all of the corruption that I want”. It’s clear which route he has taken. And slimy Ted Cruz citing racism as the reason Thomas is being “attacked” and not the blatant corruption.
Seems to be a worldwide tendency - sadly, the self proclaimed free world is taking the same direction. And there are even new kings... welcome to the middle ages.
The new law should be that corrupt government officials either get a non negotiable life imprisonment or the death penalty as the consequence.
Remember his confirmation? I do. Professor Anita Hill tried to tell us who this wretch of a human he really is. Devoid of ethics.
@@sharoncansler5524 i do to - well said
The American People aren’t going to Forget Old Clarence and Ginni.
Clarence can Wish all he wants.
Never Forget!
VOTE 🗳️ BLUE. Vote for REPRESENTATIVES who serve our Constitution and build a REAL DEMOCRACY. Outlaw CORRUPTION.
In France, we have a former Prime Minister who, when running for President 6 years ago, was revealed as having employed his wife as his Parliamentary Assistant when she in fact did nothing. Having long been the favourite in the polls, he came in a dismal 3rd place in the election. What Thomas has done seems to be far worse . And yet he is getting away with it. All I can say is Thank God I live in France and not the USA.
Unfortunately Supreme Court Justices are appointed, not elected and serve for life. What is cruel irony...Clarence Thomas replaced major civil rights activist Thurogood Marshall on the Court. Thomas has done much to roll back civil rights and voting rights that Marshall had worked so hard for.
Hold ALL Supreme Court judges accountable for ANY breach or appearances of ethical corruptions.
🧂
Just listening to an 11year old. Who Had no toy's and went into a neighbor's home. And took a play station, the kid was going to return it but police were called. And when this neglected child was 16 he was charged and sent to jail for 3 years. An 11 year old child an old Playstation worth 100 bucks and he gets 3 years. Yet Thomas and his QAnon Wife who are wealthy receive millions on criminal corruption. And nothing not even a statement from the arrogant criminal. When you hear both stories it's clear was the country is so divided. I don't blame the neglected child he didn't ask for that life. But the Thomas's I do blame. And I believe that him and his QAnon insurrectionists wife, Are Criminally responsible for there corruption.
And would you feel the same way if the court was pushing your agenda, and the other side was bringing up ethics violations?
...and at risk of firing squad if found to be corrupt (aren't they all?)
@@shockcat5988 I'm assuming you're conservative...? Yes, I would. I'm an independent and believe our officials and judges should be held accountable no matter what side or "agenda"...
One set of rules for the Supreme Court and another set of rules for the rest of us.
Hello, how are you doing
Judges are like gods.
That is not right.
More like monarchs of the middle ages. 😢
That's the conclusion I have come to
John you heard the lady, they are a Monarchy, American style!
They all want to be unaccountable. When did it become a truth that all branches are above the law? But for some reason the Executive branch has given themselves more power than the Constitution intended.
If Thomas resigns or is impeached: will Crow still give Clarence and Ginni enormous gifts our of personal friendship? The Thomas household needs to pay taxes on all those huge gifts!
Make Accountability Great Again
Loves this!
Great Kevin ☺️😜 I want to pass that on I'll attach your name
@@jackperry7580 Thanks but like most of these clever sayings I just stumbled on to it here in this swamp of words Vote Blue
@@kevinbwillson4161 gotcha and ditto. VOTE BLUE 🔵 ✌️
Absolutely! ❤❤❤❤❤
We can’t let up on holding them accountable.
Ethics rules for the Supreme Court??? Procecute them for corruption...
You’d think the ordinary ethical rules when he passed the bar would be enough. Fkr cheated.
That is the best news.
Don't you love the narratives that are painted.. "Congress can do nothing"... which is patently false. Thomas has broken several laws, including the perjury he committed during his confirmation hearing where he literally accused a black woman that he was sexually lewd with at work of a lynching... How obtuse. Three other women, and a former girlfriend have all corroborated the claim and say that it was likely. A former classmate also confirms the "pubic hair on my Coke" reference was from Thomas.
NONE OF THIS "LIFETIME SHIT EITHER - THAT'S MONARCHY INSANITY
The supreme Court I've always done the dirty work of the supreme people's so what's the problem now.
Are we a "nation of laws" or not? Our very Democracy is at stake.
I agree but laws say what lobbyists and corporate lawyers want them to say. Take ALEC...The American Legal Exchange Council. Sounds pretty bland. But it brings corporations and state lawmakers from across the country to pitch templates for bills the corporations want passed into law by state legislatures. That's how your local state rep, who may be a small business owner, is able to write bills into law, even though he has no legal training.
Hello, how are you doing
Apply the same investigations to all judges in the SCOTUS and penalize/prosecute/fire all those SCOTUS judges who prove to be on the take.
A+ for Shirley!!
Powerful interview. Thank you. And, as always, Dahlia Lithwick is a treasure.
Such a corrupt system
WHEN IT COMES TO THE SUPREME COURT 😤 THERE LOOKS LIKE PRMEDATATION ON THE PART OF THE ⚖️ JUSTICES
Can or should he be? YES- since he should have never been nominated or confirmed for the SCOTUS!
Amen Lue
This shows shows corruption when is he going to be held accountable
The problem is no one cares enough to do anything about all these sinners. They will regret it!!
Sinners? We're talking about CRIMINALS involved in long running racketeering schemes to defraud this country.
I think you would be better served calling them corrupt rather than sinners...
They are insulting the American people by selling their seats/votes but not breaking the Commandments...
Isn’t the reasoning that provides unique entitlements to the Supreme Court Justices based on the assumption that those Justices will be held to a higher level of accountability, and suffer a greater penalty, when they default on the reason for their privileged entitlements?
I worked for a federal agency.
While I never took anything a "client" offered me that was valued over $1, we were allowed to accept a cup of coffee if we saw it being prepared and if the individual was also having a cup.
Do a forced interview with Durbin! That man is doing just as much damage by not doing anything as those who are!
RBG and now Diane. Aged politicians are not in tune with current needs of the American people. Desperately need term limits on congress and courts.
The damned Democrats screwed up badly by not asking RBG to retire. I believe they didn't because they saw the fascistic (means "forced", against civil liberties) proclivities that were burgeoning forth when Obama was elected. A Black POTUS freaked the closet white supremacists in the R Party out.
The Dems saw that R's were NOT going to allow Obama to nominate anyone, so they hung onto RBG as long as her life was extant.
Thank you Dahlia.🌸💐🌷🌺🌷💐
Thank you for a very intelligent, clear & thoughtful discussion!
Clarence also voted to stop the recount in Florida
when Al Gore got robbed.
I no longer respect Clarence.
I recall the IRS getting involved when Al Capone didn’t report certain “gifts or income”. And that is how he actually went to jail.
Supreme Court ethics is an oxymoron!
You answered your own question. Nobody will be held accountable for any dealings with a billionaire.
If he doesn't resign. Someone needs to help him out.
Highly doubtful that he will be held to account. Court reform needs to happen.
Nothing will happen to Thomas “the ‘conservative movement’ has followed a course of action, not a strategy so much as a series of tactical responses, that has created a political culture that effectively prevents imposing consequences on Republican criminal wrongdoing.”- Crooksandliars
Aren’t they (politicians, judges etc) all doing this in one way or another. No wonder they don’t want to investigate each other. Rotten to the core the lot
Hmmm....the IRS may want to see their taxes!!! Did they claim the money?!!!🤔🤨
There’s no justifiable reason for lower court judges to be held to a higher code of ethics than the highest court in the land. The SCOTUS should be required at a minimum to adopt the code used by the lower courts. IMHO, it should be the one most ‘conservative’ covering as many details as possible and allowing no ‘loopholes’!
No because everyone else got theirs..
I'm so sickened by these greedy so called
Justices being above the law.
An obituary would be a welcomed change in reported media headlines.
Yes he can be held accountable. Right now we have a congressman and an ex-president who are being investigated and could be prosecuted for these same charges. So get the DOJ to do their job and protect the country from the broken Supreme Court. This court will be the one remembered for the changes required to protect our democracy. This court was just too dangerous and wreck less. But the people know now the parts that need to be fixed.
If my home State Senator Dick Durbin isnt going to start investigating, then get some one who will!!!!!!!!
It’s not for “some reason” we know the reason!! They are all legally BRIBED!!! Everyone just needs to say it!! It’s money!!
Clarence Thomas always gave me the creeps. Even during his confirmation hearings, we were unwise to tolerate his arrogance. His 10 year silence on the bench was also creepy and a red flag we failed to see. He is so angry, but it is unclear why.
We have no sanctimony whatsoever to tell any country anything when we are the worst examples of everything !!!
Chuck Grassley is senile, as well. Feinstein is at least 2 yrs overdue for honorable resignation.
Fienstein should have left the senate a long time ago, her mental state was already in decline before now.
Even a Monarchy is accountable to the Nobles, and to the parliament ….
We have come to a time where there are people above the law
The SCOTUS should be a shining example of honesty, integrity, truth and the "rule of law"! These implicated justices should resign or be impeached. These individuals are NOT above the law! Thomas should resign, PERIOD!
It was his own doing, he should be held accountable.
Awesome conversation 👏
Each branch can and must hold the other accountable!
Intelligent reporting 🎖️🎖️🎖️
Yes, he most certainly should be held accountable for any and all unethical activities. Will he? Nope.
It's time to limit the term of the Supreme Court. The Constitution does no forbid limiting their terms.
WoW corruption runs deep and they are all now above the law.⚖️ what happened to ethics?
No lifetime appointments! Stop the corruption!
He should be fired if possible.
It seems America "does have Kings, on our SCOTUS
No, he should not. He had his friend before becoming a Chief Justice. Why would he give up a Friend for accepting financial help from friends. It did not Change his stance on His Rulings.
THE CORRUPTION OF THE SCOTUS IS CRIMINAL! CRIMINAL ! CRIMINAL !!!
Absolute power corrupts anyone
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please who is the expert guiding you? i have lost so much as a beginner🥺 investing into stock without a proper guidiance of an expert.
Well i won't say i have........His name is "Jackson Sten Marsh" can't divulge much. Most likely, the internet should have his basic info, you can research if you like
Thank you for sharing; I just Googled his name and his website came up right away. It looks interesting so far. I'm going to book a call with him and let you know how it goes.Thanks
Thanks for clearing that up, I curiously searched for Jackson Sten Marsh on the internet and thankfully, I came across him my goal is to retire in 5years time.
If you are serious by saying that no one is above the law. He should be held accountable and not just him but anybody else that have broken the law. You must get rid of the corruption by any means necessary.
All judges should be held to the same laws and ethics. Bar laws.
The only way for this man to be admonished for his crimes is for the IRS to have him pay for gifts.
Love Senator Whitehouse speech about Thomas crimes.
He would have been held accountable already if he was going to be.
Our country is up for SALE!!!! Disgusting 😢
Do we really think he's the first? He must the first to get caught.
Remember how he publically shamed one of his sister's for needing assistance?
Now he eats on a billionaire's dime?
What a hypocrite from Hell.
Where are the pillows?
Time for a trip to Texas.
jK
I don't want my joke which is obviously a reaction to these "conservative " liars
Ruined the court. Not a huge surprise. Caught in lies and no consequences since his first day in the court.
This is what ideological judges look like .....Not healthy....
Oh yeah baby...
The fish rots from da head....
Roberts is just as dirty as Thomas!!!
The Senate needs to assert it's authority, and following an investigative hearing, declaring Thomas did not have "good behavior", which is the language in the Constitution. A trial following a grand jury indictment following an investigation, the conviction would equally demonstrate Thomas did not have "good behavior". Certainly an impeachment process could satisfy the investigation and decision making process, but it should not be needed. Impeachment is for the executive branch, and holds to a very different standard.
The Senate approves and installs justices by a simple majority, following hearings. Sounds like no greater bar should be needed to remove one based on the standard of "good behavior". Would love to see that case go to SCOTUS. Thomas would not recuse himself. The rest would try to claim that these acts were within range of "good behavior" or that the constitution says something, that it does not say.
It’s ashamed that some of the truthful comments don’t get the recognition as it should be
I thought we had a checks and balance system. He should step down or be impeached.
Screw that crap. If they go after Thomas they better go after every Congressman and President and VP. They all are on the take.
So the moral of the story is the higher your position the more untouchable you are.
I highly doubt it unless they can show that he ruled on a case that is a direct conflict of interest.
Calls 📞 for justice from corrupt republican party judges un heard of injustices
American history will cry
Imagine if a white rich man can buy a Supreme Court Judge what the country of China or Russia can buy all of them
Ms. Lithwick , got right when she said the Supreme Court holds itself like some kind of Monarchy . I thought the US could not have a monarchy in any branch of government . It's time Congress steps in and regulates the fourth with an ethics program and punishment for for breaking ethics , such as fines and being removed from the court . That Congress must hear charges of ethical misconduct and issues of bribery .
Yes. Judges all have rules that the higher court have too.
How come California hasn't recalled her?
You can’t tell me the rest on the justices didn’t know of his regular yacht trips over two decades. So what does that say for honest judges?
Only on statute raid database at a legal course.
Well, this is how a political system dependent on contributions looks like, wherever you look you'll find dealings of this sort...Those who see the light are just for political reasons...
THEY AREN'T GPING TO DO ANYTHING BUT TALK ABOUT OT IN OUR AMERICAN "JUST US" SYSTEM
Wow 😡 😡
Obviously, yes!
Powerful and rich, chicken and egg ,
WHICH comes first ???
They are linked in cult worship.
They are all corrupt
Feinstein needs to Step Down!
She is Hurting her Own Caucus! For gods sake
DIANE.
our Unethical Supreme Court needs to be be disbanded due them supporting moral turpitude.
I have a very strong suspicion that the IRS will be making him a call. I read he never claimed anything.
Many retired CPAs and Forensic Accountants would freely volunteer their time to check on ALL of the Justices’ financials. Even the AICPA has a Code of Ethics.