'Losing the trust of the American people': Report details 'ethical crisis' at Supreme Court

21 December 2024

A new report argues the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) is entertaining corruption on an unprecedented scale, and that Chief Justice John Roberts is doing almost nothing to stop it.

Politico reported Saturday that the Democratic-controlled Senate Judiciary Committee is closing out 2024 by releasing a scathing report delving into what it calls an "ethical crisis" within SCOTUS. The 97-page report highlights the numerous ethics scandals involving several justices — particularly Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas.

"Now more than ever before, as a result of information gathered by subpoenas, we know the extent to which the Supreme Court is mired in an ethical crisis of its own making,” Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), the committee's chairman, stated. "Whether failing to disclose lavish gifts or failing to recuse from cases with apparent conflicts of interest, it’s clear that the justices are losing the trust of the American people at the hands of a gaggle of fawning billionaires."

Thomas — who was appointed to the Court by Republican President George H.W. Bush — was singled out over his acceptance of millions of dollars in unreported gifts from wealthy individuals that were initially brought to light by reporting from ProPublica. This included a luxury recreational vehicle loan that was later forgiven, private school tuition for Thomas' son and multiple luxurious vacations and overseas trips — including a yacht trip to Russia funded by real estate billionaire Harlan Crow.

As for Alito, the report alleges he failed to report a lavish private getaway to an Alaska resort that charged guests $1,000 per day. The trip was funded by hedge fund billionaire Paul Singer in 2008, who had business before the Court. However, Alito didn't recuse himself in those cases, and the Court eventually ruled in Singer's favor in a 2014 case.

The report noted that the Judicial Conference of the United States, which has oversight over SCOTUS and the rest of the federal judiciary, has been effectively missing in action amidst various ethical breaches. The Judiciary Committee's report blasted the Judicial Conference for failing to rein in Justices' repeated flouting of ethics guidelines.

"The highest court in the land can’t have the lowest ethical standards," Durbin said. "So long as Chief Justice Roberts and the Judicial Conference refuse to act, we must push for a legislative solution to this crisis to restore trust in the highest court."

Click here to read Politico's report in full.

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