In recent news, it was revealed that Justice Clarence Thomas took additional trips on GOP megadonor Harlan Crow’s private plane, beyond what was previously known. Senate Judiciary Chairman Dick Durbin obtained information indicating that Thomas traveled on Crow’s private jet in 2017, 2019, and 2021 between various US states, as well as during a known 2019 trip to Indonesia where he also stayed on Crow’s mega-yacht. These newly revealed trips highlight the luxurious travel enjoyed by Thomas, funded by friends with ties to conservative politics.
Thomas has faced criticism for failing to disclose these trips on his annual financial disclosure forms, although he and his supporters argue that he followed the court’s disclosure rules as understood at the time. This revelation is likely to increase tensions between the conservative-dominated Supreme Court and Democrats pushing for tighter ethics regulations. Recent ethics scandals involving Thomas and Justice Samuel Alito have contributed to historically low public approval ratings for the court.
Last year, in response to reports on Thomas’ lavish lifestyle, the federal judiciary implemented a new rule requiring justices to report travel on private planes. This change closed a loophole that Thomas had previously used to avoid disclosing trips funded by wealthy friends. Critics argue that this new interpretation of the rules should apply retroactively, holding justices accountable for past undisclosed trips. Thomas has not responded to inquiries about the new revelations and why the trips were not initially disclosed.
Thomas recently admitted to omitting details about a hotel stay paid for by the Crows during the 2019 Indonesia trip and accommodations at a private club they belong to in California. However, he did not disclose his travel on Crow’s private plane for those trips, as revealed by Durbin. Additional details show that Thomas traveled on Crow’s plane for trips to Montana, Georgia, and California in previous years. The ongoing investigation by the Senate Judiciary Committee highlights the need for an enforceable code of conduct for the Supreme Court.
Despite efforts by Democrats to pass Supreme Court ethics legislation, a procedural maneuver to advance the bill on the Senate floor was blocked by Republicans. Supporters of Thomas, such as former Trump administration official Mark Paoletta, argue that the justice was not required to disclose stays on a friend’s property, including homes, planes, and boats, until the recent revision to the disclosure rules in 2023. The probes into gifts and lavish travel received by Thomas stem from a report detailing the extravagant Indonesia trip with Crow, during which the Thomases stayed on Crow’s yacht.
Crow, described by Thomas as a close family friend, has cooperated with the Senate Judiciary Committee’s requests for information dating back seven years. Despite his concerns about the legality and necessity of the inquiry, Crow engaged in negotiations with the committee in good faith to resolve the matter. As part of an agreement with the committee, the probe into Crow’s involvement was concluded. These new revelations raise questions about ethics and transparency within the Supreme Court and the need for clearer guidelines on financial disclosures and travel for justices.
