Internet split as Senate committee reveals Clarence Thomas took more unreported trips funded by GOP donor

WASHINGTON, DC: The Senate Judiciary Committee disclosed new documents that shed light on Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas' undisclosed trips funded by a Republican megadonor.

On Thursday, June 13, Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, an Illinois Democrat and Judiciary Committee chair, released records of private jet travel gifts from billionaire Harlan Crow to Thomas, covering plane trips in 2017, 2019, and 2021.

The Senate Committee disclosed the document a day after the Republicans stalled the Supreme Court ethics bill that was brought to hold the SCOTUS justices to a code of ethics.

Sen Whip Dick Durbin states new documents clarifies ethical lapses by Clarence Thomas

"As a result of our investigation and subpoena authorization, we are providing the American public greater clarity on the extent of ethical lapses by Supreme Court justices and the need for ethics reform," Sen Durbin said in a statement following the release of documents.

The statement also noted that Thomas omitted the luxury travel in his financial disclosure.

The Senate Judiciary Committee issued a subpoena authorization in November 2023 for Crow to provide details about his luxury gift to the SCOTUS justice.

On June 13, Crow's office agreed with the Judiciary Committee to provide further information dating back to seven years. Since the billionaire obliged the demands, the committee agreed to end its investigation concerning Crow.

According to a recent report, Thomas, a George HW Bush appointee, received gifts worth over $4 million since 2004. Additionally, last week, he disclosed the nine-day vacation funded by Crow in his annual financial report.

However, the justice's attorney, Elliot S Berke, defended his disclosure, claiming the information Crow gave to the Senate Judiciary Committee "fell under the 'personal hospitality exemption' and was not required to be disclosed by Justice Thomas."

The lawyer pointed out that the Judicial Conference "changed this provision last year, and Justice Thomas has fully complied with the new disclosure requirement."

The Senate Judiciary Committee would possibly release a report on their probe into Supreme Court ethics this summer.

Internet debates over new documents about Clarence Thomas' luxury trips

Netizens held divided views about the new details regarding the luxury trips Crow offered to Thomas. While one side demanded to punish the justice, another argued the Democrats unnecessarily brought it.

One user said, "Clarence sold his soul to billionaires." While, another remarked, "So he has friends with money! Is there a crime here or will the media invent one?"

A user added, "Unethical… This 'InJustice' embodies everything we teach young lawyers & judges to avoid & to not do!"

Whereas another response read, "It’s sickening watching the Democrats try and destroy innocent people’s lives for political gain!"

"Transparency and ethical conduct are fundamental in positions of such authority. Justice Thomas must be held accountable for these lapses," someone else said.

On the other hand, an individual likened the issue to Jill Biden's recent trip from France to the US, writing, "And Jill took a round trip flight from France to attend her stepson’s trial to try & intimidate a jury in Delaware."

One remark read, "It’s time for Thomas to go. There’s no excuse for accepting all these gifts without reporting them… he shouldn’t even be accepting them. He HAS to know that this is unethical behavior. It seems he and his peers just don’t care."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.