AOC demands DOJ target Clarence Thomas over relationship with Republican mega-donor

Far-left “Squad” member Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., is demanding the Division of Justice goal Supreme Courtroom Justice Clarence Thomas over his relationship with a Republican megadonor and others she claims he benefited from financially.

In a Friday letter to Legal professional Common Merrick Garland, Ocasio-Cortez, together with 4 of her progressive colleagues, known as for the DOJ to launch an investigation into Thomas “for constantly failing to report vital presents he acquired from Harlan Crow and different billionaires for practically twenty years — in defiance of his obligation below federal legislation.”

“First, Justice Thomas has acquired quite a few undisclosed invaluable presents from Harlan Crow over the course of at the very least fifteen years, regardless of certifying repeatedly that his monetary disclosure types are “correct, true, and full,” in certifications “topic to civil and felony sanctions,” the letter learn.

The letter cited an April ProPublica investigation that discovered Thomas’ shut friendship with actual property developer Harlan Crow allowed him to accompany the Texas billionaire on luxurious holidays on his personal jet and yacht, in addition to free stays on Crow’s huge trip property, amongst different perks.

It went on to accuse Thomas of not recusing himself from circumstances “earlier than the court docket by which there was potential battle of curiosity,” and later cited different ProPublica investigations about further presents Thomas reportedly acquired from different rich people.

“Nobody is above the legislation. For twenty years, Justice Thomas did not report thousands and thousands in presents. Right now, we requested DOJ to analyze Thomas for violating the Ethics of Authorities Act of 1978. We’re joined by Rating Members [Jerrold] Nadler & [Jamie] Raskin, and Judiciary Members [Ted] Lieu & Hank Johnson,” Ocastio-Cortez wrote on social media.

In April, Thomas issued a uncommon assertion after the primary ProPublica report was printed, defending the journey he took along with his buddies over a few years, and explaining that he has all the time adopted Supreme Courtroom steerage.

“Harlan and Kathy Crow are amongst our dearest buddies, and we’ve got been buddies for over twenty-five years,” Thomas stated. “As buddies do, we’ve got joined them on plenty of household journeys in the course of the greater than quarter-century we’ve got recognized them.” 

“Early in my tenure on the Courtroom, I sought steerage from my colleagues and others within the judiciary, and was suggested that this kind of private hospitality from shut private buddies, who didn’t have enterprise earlier than the Courtroom, was not reportable,” he added.