Justice Clarence Thomas recently came under scrutiny for failing to disclose three private jet trips that he took on Harlan Crow’s private jet. The Senate Judiciary Committee obtained documents revealing these undisclosed trips, which took place in 2017, 2019, and 2021.
The trips included visits to locations such as Montana, Savannah, Georgia, and Northern California. Interestingly, all of these flights were short stays, with two being round trips that did not involve an overnight stay. The purpose of these trips was not immediately clear, and it remains unknown why Justice Thomas did not disclose them on his official forms.
This revelation sheds light on Justice Thomas’s close relationship with Harlan Crow and other wealthy friends, as well as his consistent pattern of not reporting such connections. Justice Thomas has previously stated that he believed he did not need to disclose gifts of personal hospitality from friends who did not have cases before the Supreme Court.
The disclosure of these undisclosed trips is likely to reignite debates about transparency and ethics at the Supreme Court. While lawmakers have attempted to establish ethics standards for justices, these efforts have not been successful. The Supreme Court recently introduced its first ethics code, but experts have noted that it lacks enforcement mechanisms or penalties for violations.
Overall, this new information raises questions about the relationships between Supreme Court justices and wealthy individuals, as well as the need for greater transparency and accountability within the highest court in the land. As the public awaits further developments in this story, it is essential to continue monitoring the actions and disclosures of our judicial system’s most prominent figures.