Judge Clarence Thomas' wife Ginni lauds religious group for opposing Supreme Court ethics reform

WASHINGTON, DC: Ginni Thomas, the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, privately expressed her appreciation to a major religious-rights group, the First Liberty Institute, for their efforts in opposing reforms to the Supreme Court.

These reform efforts have been partly motivated by ethical concerns surrounding her husband, reported ProPublica.

Ginni Thomas' controversial email to First Liberty Institute

In an email to Kelly Shackelford, the head of First Liberty Institute, Ginni Thomas praised the organization’s work, highlighting its positive impact on certain judges.

Prominent litigator, Shackelford, whose clients have secured victories at the Supreme Court, read her email aloud during a private call with top donors on July 31.

According to Shackelford, Thomas wrote in all caps: "YOU GUYS HAVE FILLED THE SAILS OF MANY JUDGES. CAN I JUST TELL YOU, THANK YOU SO, SO, SO MUCH."

Shackelford interpreted her support as evidence that judges, who cannot publicly engage in political battles, appreciate First Liberty’s work in opposing Supreme Court reform.

He emphasized to donors on the call the significance of their contributions in safeguarding the future of the court.

"It’s neat that, you know, those of you on the call are a part of protecting the future of our court, and they really appreciate it," stated Shackelford.

First Liberty Institute, described as the largest legal organization in the US, dedicated exclusively to defending religious liberty, opposed Supreme Court reform proposals that it viewed as a threat to judicial independence.

The religious-right group operates with an annual budget of $25 million.

Kelly Shackelford's criticism of Justice Elena Kagan and Supreme Court ethics code

During the donor call, Kelly Shackelford also criticized Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan, calling her “treasonous” and “disloyal” following her recent endorsement of an enforcement mechanism for the court's newly adopted ethics code.

He argued that implementing such a code would “destroy the independence of the judiciary.”

Following the conversation, a recording of the 45-minute call was sent to some of First Liberty’s supporters, ProPublica obtained the recording.

The controversial call led by the group's head Shackelford took place shortly after President Joe Biden announced his support for a series of significant Supreme Court reforms.

The reforms included term limits for justices, a constitutional amendment reversing the court’s recent presidential immunity decision, and a binding ethics code for the court's nine members.

Internet slams Ginni Thomas' appreciation of opposing SC reforms

Social media users decried Ginni Thomas' controversial email to Kelly Shackelford in which she appreciated First Liberty Institute's efforts to oppose Supreme Court's reforms.

One user on X wrote, "Why is #GinniThomas not in Prison yet?? Who is protecting Her," and another tweeted, "There is a time in life you must realize this is unacceptable."

"Why is she still walking around, organizing and pushing secret agendas??" a netizen asked, while someone remarked, "It should be a crime for a religious rights group to be involved at all in the functioning of the supreme court."

"Seems like she should be called before Congress to identify the corrupt judges she’s talking about," an individual penned, and another opined, "Ginni Thomas is drunk (and rich) on her husband's power."

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.