All articles tagged with #justice clarence thomas
Originally Published 2 months ago — by PBS
The Supreme Court declined to overturn its 2015 decision legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide, rejecting an appeal from Kim Davis, a Kentucky clerk who refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples due to her religious beliefs. The court's decision maintains the landmark ruling, despite dissenting opinions from some justices.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Reuters
Justice Clarence Thomas, the oldest and longest-serving member of the US Supreme Court and part of its conservative majority, was absent from the bench during Monday's session with no reason given. Chief Justice John Roberts noted his absence but did not offer an explanation, stating that Thomas would participate using written legal briefs and transcripts. The court spokeswoman did not provide additional information, and Thomas had previously missed arguments in March 2022 due to hospitalization.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Reuters
House Democrats are urging Justice Clarence Thomas to recuse himself from the Supreme Court's handling of Donald Trump's bid for immunity in the federal case accusing him of seeking to overturn the 2020 election. The Democrats cited Thomas' wife's alleged involvement in efforts to overturn the election and the court's recent ethics code of conduct. The case is appealing a federal judge's ruling rejecting Trump's bid to dismiss the case based on the argument that he cannot be prosecuted for official actions taken as president.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by The New York Times
Justice Clarence Thomas has responded to reports that he failed to disclose luxury trips, flights on private jets, and a real estate transaction with Texas billionaire Harlan Crow in his annual financial disclosure form. Thomas defended his travel with Crow, who has donated to conservative causes, and explained that he flew on Crow's private jet due to increased security risks following the leak of a draft opinion overturning Roe v. Wade. The disclosure comes as the Supreme Court faces scrutiny over its financial dealings and lack of an ethics code. Thomas acknowledged errors in his previous reports and stated that he is working with Supreme Court officials to determine if further amendments are necessary. Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr.'s financial disclosure form, which revealed a private plane trip to a luxury fishing lodge in Alaska hosted by hedge fund billionaire Paul Singer, was also released. Both justices have insisted that the gifts and travels did not need to be reported.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by The Washington Post
The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, a nonprofit organization, has come under scrutiny after a New York Times report revealed Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas' long-standing membership and the benefits he has received. Thomas has referred to the organization as a "home" and credited it with helping his dreams come true.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by CNN
College graduate Kyra Abrams, whose life was shaped by affirmative action, discusses Justice Clarence Thomas' argument that colleges and universities should no longer consider race as a basis for admission.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by The Wall Street Journal
Senate Democrats are increasing their scrutiny of billionaire Harlan Crow's relationship with Justice Clarence Thomas after he refused to provide details on his gifts and business dealings with the Supreme Court member. The Senate Judiciary Committee's 11 Democrats have requested information on all payments or gifts worth more than $415 to any Supreme Court justice or justice's relative, as well as details on real estate transactions, lodging, transportation, and private club benefits.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by The Washington Post
Allegations that Justice Clarence Thomas violated federal ethics laws by failing to disclose travel and real estate deals with Republican donor Harlan Crow have been sent to a committee of federal judges responsible for addressing allegations of errors or omissions in the filing of financial disclosure reports. Congressional Democrats had requested that the Judicial Conference of the United States investigate Thomas's failure to disclose the deals and referred the matter to Attorney General Merrick Garland. Thomas's disclosure history is in the spotlight after ProPublica revealed that Crow took him on lavish vacations and also bought a Georgia home where the justice's mother lives, transactions that were not disclosed on the forms.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by CNN
Justice Clarence Thomas failed to disclose a 2014 real estate deal with a GOP megadonor on his annual financial disclosure forms, according to a ProPublica report. The deal involved the purchase of a $1.5 million home in Georgia, which was later sold for $1.2 million to Harlan Crow, a major Republican donor and supporter of Thomas. Thomas' failure to disclose the deal raises questions about potential conflicts of interest and transparency.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by The New York Times
Justice Clarence Thomas said that he had followed past guidance from others at the court, but that he would now comply with new guidelines and disclose gifts and free travel. The rules, adopted last month, require the justices to disclose travel by private jet and stays in commercial properties like resorts. ProPublica revealed on Thursday that the justice had traveled by private jet and yacht at the invitation of Harlan Crow, a Texas real estate billionaire. Some advocates for increased court transparency said they hoped the revelations would put a renewed focus on an ethics code for justices.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by CNN
Justice Clarence Thomas accepted several luxury trips paid for by a GOP megadonor, according to a report by ProPublica. The report raises questions about potential ethics violations, as federal judges are required to disclose gifts and travel expenses. Thomas reportedly accepted trips to resorts in Montana and Georgia, as well as a private jet trip to Washington, D.C. The GOP donor, Harlan Crow, has also reportedly donated to Thomas' wife's conservative advocacy group.