Justice facing most media scrutiny over ethics by end of 2025?
Clarence Thomas • 25%
Ketanji Brown Jackson • 25%
Another Justice • 25%
No significant scrutiny • 25%
Analysis of media reports and articles from major news outlets
Judicial Conference Declines to Refer Justices Thomas, Jackson to DOJ Over Ethics Allegations
Jan 3, 2025, 02:30 AM
The U.S. Judicial Conference has declined a request from Democratic lawmakers to refer Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas to the Department of Justice over allegations of ethics violations. The allegations stem from claims that Justice Thomas failed to disclose luxury gifts and travel provided by a wealthy benefactor, Republican donor Harlan Crow. In letters sent Thursday to Senators Sheldon Whitehouse and Rep. Hank Johnson, the Judicial Conference cited doubts about its authority to refer Supreme Court justices to the DOJ, noting constitutional concerns and the absence of explicit statutory directives granting such authority. Justice Thomas has since amended his financial disclosures to address the issues raised and agreed to follow updated reporting requirements. The Conference also rejected a similar referral request concerning Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, who has also amended her disclosures and agreed to updated reporting guidelines. The issue has reignited debates over the enforcement of ethics rules for Supreme Court justices, as the Court's 2023 adoption of a code of ethics lacks an enforcement mechanism.
View original story
Clarence Thomas • 25%
Neither • 25%
Both Equally • 25%
Samuel Alito • 25%
Justice Clarence Thomas • 25%
Another justice • 25%
No disclosure by any justice • 25%
Justice Samuel Alito • 25%
Both equally • 25%
Samuel Alito • 25%
Clarence Thomas • 25%
Neither • 25%
Biden administration • 25%
Wuhan Institute of Virology • 25%
National Institutes of Health (NIH) • 25%
EcoHealth Alliance • 25%
Gift and travel disclosures • 25%
Conflict of interest recusal • 25%
Other focus • 25%
Both equally • 25%
Another justice • 25%
Ketanji Brown Jackson • 25%
Clarence Thomas • 25%
No new complaints • 25%
Strengthen media protections • 25%
Unclear or disputed • 25%
No significant change • 25%
Weaken media protections • 25%
Fox News • 25%
Other • 25%
CNN • 25%
MSNBC • 25%
Formal reprimand • 25%
Other outcome • 25%
Legislative action • 25%
No further action • 25%
Affirms authority • 25%
Seeks legislative clarification • 25%
No change in stance • 25%
Denies authority • 25%