New report exposes Justice Clarence Thomas’ luxury trips

An investigative story released Thursday revealed that for 20+ years, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas accepted several luxury trips funded by billionaire Republican donor Harlan Crow.

The story published by ProPublica further says Justice Thomas omitted to disclose the trips gifted by GOP megadonor Crow when filing his annual financial disclosures to the judiciary.

Like other federal judges, Supreme Court justices are required to list gifts they have received in their annual financial disclosure report.

What did the trips involve?
The trips involved flying in Bombardier jets, charting Crow’s 162-foot yacht and vacationing in his private resort in the Adirondacks. One particular 2019 trip to Indonesia is expected to have cost more than $500,000, per the NGO’s report.

The judiciary policy guide consulted by The Associated Press indicated that Supreme Court justices do not have to report “personal hospitality of any individual” like food, lodging and entertainment. But the policies don’t cover “transportation that substitutes for commercial transportation.”

Reaction
The expose has enraged Democrats who demand Thomas’ resignation and impeachment.

Texas real estate magnet Crow told ProPublica, “hospitality we have extended to the Thomas’s over the years is no different from the hospitality we have extended to our many other dear friends.” But Justice Thomas is unlike the other friends Crow has.

SCOTUS justices are held to the highest possible ethical standards and in order to maintain professional competence and public trust, they need to avoid being seen as biased or affected by outside influences.