Hi,
Each year, Clarence Thomas hosts a secretive initiation ritual for his
wealthy friends inside the Supreme Court chamber.
It sounds ridiculous, but a bombshell New York Times report just revealed
that Justice Thomas performs this ceremony in the main Supreme Court room
for an elite society called the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished
Americans. The Association is largely made up of ultra-rich conservatives
and aims “to spread the message [of] America’s free enterprise system.”
Thomas has been a member of the group for over three decades, and has
accepted undisclosed luxury travel, V.I.P. access to sporting events, and
invites to lavish parties from its powerful members.^1
The Supreme Court is not bound by any code of conduct. Clearly, Justice
Thomas and this right-wing court cannot be trusted to police themselves.
Congress must take action now to impose basic ethics standards on this
out-of-control, corrupt Supreme Court.
[ [link removed] ]Sign the petition: Justice Thomas’ corruption cannot stand – Congress
must pass the Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal and Transparency Act NOW!
ADD YOUR NAME
During the Horatio Alger initiation ritual, Justice Thomas hangs special
medals around the necks of the Association’s new lifetime members. One
businessman called it “the closest thing to being knighted in the United
States.” Thomas acts as a kind of ambassador for the group, and its
members highly value their close relationship to the Justice.^1
Thomas joined the Association shortly after his confirmation to the court
in 1991. Since then, the group’s wealthy, right-wing members have lavished
him with praise and provided him access to a luxurious lifestyle. Wall
Street executive David Sokol, for instance, has hosted Justice Thomas and
his wife on elaborate trips to both his Montana ranch and his Florida
waterfront mansion.^1
Earlier this year, ProPublica revealed Justice Thomas’ cozy relationship
with billionaire and right-wing megadonor Harlan Crow. Thomas never
disclosed Crow’s costly gifts, and never recused himself when Crow had
business before the court.^2 Many of Thomas’ Horatio Alger colleagues are
similarly major donors to conservative causes with much at stake in
Supreme Court decisions. As with Crow, Thomas failed to disclose any of
the gifts from his Horatio Alger friends, nor has he recused himself in
any cases involving their interests.^1
Every single conservative on the Supreme Court has now been implicated in
a shocking ethics scandal. The Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal and
Transparency Act would finally require SCOTUS justices to follow an ethics
code, strengthen restrictions on judicial gifts and privately funded
travel, and overhaul the broken recusal process.^3 Congress must start
restoring faith in our courts and enact this Supreme Court code of conduct
NOW.
[ [link removed] ]Sign the petition: It's time to hold Supreme Court justices
accountable. Pass the Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal and Transparency Act!
Thanks for taking action,
Joey and the team at Demand Progress
[ [link removed] ]DONATE
Sources:
1. New York Times, “Where Clarence Thomas Entered an Elite Circle and
Opened a Door to the Court ,” [ [link removed] ]July 9, 2023.
2. ProPublica, “Clarence Thomas and the Billionaire,” [ [link removed] ]April 6, 2023.
3. NBC, “Senate Democrats announce vote to advance Supreme Court ethics
bill,” [ [link removed] ]July 10, 2023.
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