WASHINGTON — The federal judiciary has decided not to forward allegations regarding potential ethics violations by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas to the Justice Department, as announced by the U.S. Judicial Conference on Thursday.
Justice Thomas has committed to adhering to updated reporting requirements related to travel and gifts, including more explicit guidelines on hospitality from friends, following inquiries from Democratic senators about undisclosed luxury trips.
Previously, Thomas had maintained that he was not obligated to report numerous trips taken by him and his wife that were funded by affluent supporters, citing their close personal relationships. The court did not respond to requests for comment on the matter.
In response to ongoing scrutiny, the Supreme Court implemented its inaugural code of ethics in 2023; however, this code still lacks mechanisms for enforcement.
U.S. District Judge Robert Conrad noted the ambiguity surrounding the authority of the U.S. Judicial Conference to make criminal referrals concerning a Supreme Court Justice. Conrad, who serves as the secretary for the conference, indicated that a referral is not deemed necessary given that two Democratic senators had previously requested Attorney General Merrick Garland to appoint a special counsel, which has yet to occur.
In response to these developments, advocacy group Fix the Court emphasized the need for Congress to establish a transparent mechanism to investigate potential ethics violations among Supreme Court justices, as the existing framework appears inadequate. “The Conference’s letters further highlight the necessity for a new investigative process,” stated Executive Director Gabe Roth.
Conrad also addressed a related complaint from a conservative legal entity concerning Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s reported sources of income. Jackson has since revised her disclosures and agreed to new reporting protocols, as stated by Conrad.
