By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA
https://blackpressusa.com/
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is under fire again. This time, it was because of the failure to disclose more private jet travel funded by Harlan Crow, a wealthy conservative donor, according to a letter from Senator Ron Wyden (D).
Customs and Border Protection records indicate that the justice and his wife, Virginia Thomas, flew between Hawaii and New Zealand in November 2010 on Crow’s private jet. In his letter to the donor’s lawyer, Wyden, a Democrat from Oregon, demanded more information about the financial relationship between Thomas and Crow.
The New York Times reported that the inquiry is part of a more extensive investigation by Wyden, who chairs the Senate Finance Committee, into the ties between Crow and Thomas. The scrutiny comes amid calls from top Democrats for significant Supreme Court reforms, including establishing an enforceable code of conduct.
“I am deeply concerned that Crow may have been showering a public official with extravagant gifts, then writing off those gifts to lower his tax bill,” Wyden wrote in his letter. He highlighted the potential conflict of interest and stressed the need for transparency and accountability.
In response, Michael Zona, a spokesman for Crow, stated that Crow’s legal team had already addressed Wyden’s inquiries, which they deemed legally unfounded and politically motivated.
“We consider this matter settled and refer Senator Wyden to our previous correspondence,” the statement read. Zona also insisted that Crow had always adhered to applicable tax laws.
Thomas has previously argued that he did not need to disclose personal hospitality gifts from friends who had no pending cases before the Supreme Court. By law, Supreme Court justices are required to fill out an annual financial disclosure form listing outside income sources and gifts. However, Thomas’ form for 2010 does not mention any flights on Crow’s jet.
Wyden drew attention to this discrepancy by pointing out that Thomas had updated earlier records to include additional international travel that Crow had provided.
“To date, Justice Thomas has never disclosed this private jet travel on any financial disclosure forms, even though Justice Thomas has amended disclosures to reflect other international travel on Mr. Crow’s private jet,” Wyden wrote.
The controversy surrounding Thomas’ undisclosed travel highlights broader calls for Supreme Court reform. President Joe Biden has recently advocated for substantial changes, including a constitutional amendment to limit presidential powers and ensure former presidents are not immune from federal criminal proceedings. In an op-ed, Biden emphasized the need for reforms to restore public trust in the judiciary.
“I served as a U.S. senator for 36 years, including as chairman and ranking member of the Judiciary Committee. I have overseen more Supreme Court nominations as a senator, vice president, and president than anyone living today,” Biden wrote. He stressed that current issues undermine public confidence in the court’s decisions, affecting personal freedoms.
Biden’s proposals include term limits for Supreme Court justices, suggesting 18-year terms to prevent any single presidency from exerting prolonged influence. He also called for stringent ethics requirements for Supreme Court justices, like those governing other federal judges.
President Biden is set to discuss these proposals further in a speech at the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library in Austin, Texas, part of the 60th anniversary celebration of the Civil Rights Act. The event, initially planned for mid-July, was postponed following an alleged assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania rally.
Despite the presidential push for the reforms, passing such legislation through a divided Congress remains a significant challenge. Senate Democrats strongly support Biden’s proposals but acknowledge the political hurdles ahead. Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, has endorsed Biden’s call, emphasizing the importance of restoring public confidence in the judiciary.
“Our democracy depends on the integrity of our institutions,” Biden stated. “This is not just about reforming the Supreme Court — it’s about safeguarding the future of our nation. We must act now to ensure justice and fairness for all Americans.”
