2 Dems call for judicial-branch probe of Thomas' ties to GOP donor

Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee are calling for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas to provide more details about his alleged failure to disclose his wife’s income over the past 13 years, citing potential conflicts of interest. The call to investigate comes after a series of reports by non-profit news outlet ProPublica revealed that Thomas had failed to disclose his wife’s earnings from conservative groups, including a Republican donor’s think tank.

The reports have reignited concerns over the ethics of Supreme Court justices accepting funds from controversial individuals and groups. Thomas has long been criticised for his close ties to conservative activists and donors and for his alleged unwillingness to recuse himself from cases related to groups he has ties with. Democrats say that by failing to properly disclose this information, Thomas may have violated ethical standards.

This latest move from Democrats is part of a broader push to hold Supreme Court justices accountable for their actions and to ensure that the court is not influenced by partisan interests. The Biden administration has already formed a commission to study potential reform of the Supreme Court, including its size and composition.

Despite the mounting pressure, Thomas remains defiant, arguing that he has disclosed all relevant information and that his financial connections have never influenced his decision-making. However, critics say that the mere appearance of impropriety is enough to undermine public trust in the court.

This latest development underscores the growing concern among Democrats, and some Republicans, over the politicisation of the Supreme Court and the potential for undue influence from wealthy, partisan interests. As the court becomes increasingly polarised along ideological lines, the need for transparency and accountability has never been more urgent. Whether or not Thomas will provide further details about his financial connections remains to be seen, but Democrats have made it clear that they will not let the issue rest until they have complete transparency from the Supreme Court justice.



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