Joining a collection of lawmakers calling on United States Supreme Court (SCOTUS) Justice Clarence Thomas to resign from the bench for his affiliations with the January 6 insurrection and 2020 election, Democratic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York spoke out in support of his resignation.
She stated:
"Clarence Thomas should resign."
"If not, his failure to disclose income from right-wing organizations, recuse himself from matters involving his wife, and his vote to block the Jan 6th commission from key information must be investigated and could serve as grounds for impeachment."
Clarence Thomas should resign.\n\nIf not, his failure to disclose income from right-wing organizations, recuse himself from matters involving his wife, and his vote to block the Jan 6th commission from key information must be investigated and could serve as grounds for impeachment.— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) 1648558366
Subpoenas, investigations, and impeachment should absolutely be on the table. We shouldn\u2019t have to think twice about that.\n\nWe must go where the facts take us. A failure to act puts the imperiling of democracy squarely on *our* shoulders. It\u2019s our duty to defend it.— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) 1648567923
It was recently revealed by The Washington Post that Justice Thomas' wife, Ginni Thomas, was an active participant in a political attempt to overthrow the election.
She exchanged nearly 30 text messages with then President Donald Trump's top aide discussing strategies to negate the election results. This activity occurred while Trump was actively attempting to use the leverage of the Supreme Court to overturn the election results which were heavily in President Joe Biden's favor.
Ginni Thomas, spouse of a sitting Supreme Court Justice, served as a key guide to Trump's strategy. Though an obvious conflict of interest, Justice Thomas subsequently heard and participated in cases involving the election results–of which there were at least 10.
People are fed up with his continuous failure to do what's just, despite being a justice.
If there was justice, Clarence Thomas would not be a Justice.— Barbara Malmet (@Barbara Malmet) 1648387767
Someone predicted:
"If Ginni Thomas gets prosecuted and convicted and her case ends up in the Supreme Court, Clarence Thomas would still not recuse himself."
If Ginnie Thomas gets prosecuted and convicted and her case ends up in the Supreme Court, Clarence Thomas would still not recuse himself.— Anita morgan (@Anita morgan) 1648238226
Another tweeted:
"Due to recent revelations in reference to Ginni Thomas, wife of Justice Clarence Thomas, & her involvement w/ the events of 1/6, I believe the Cannons of Judicial Ethics demand Justice Thomas recuse himself from all cases involving the events of 1/6 which come before the SCOTUS."
Due to recent revelations in reference to Ginnie Thomas, wife of Justice Clarence Thomas, & her involvement w/ the events of 1/6, I believe the Cannons of Judicial Ethics demand Justice Thomas recuse himself from all cases involving the events of 1/6 which come before the SCOTUS.— Crazy Shellback \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf2\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 (@Crazy Shellback \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf2\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6) 1648221597
The Clarence Thomas recusal conundrum is the most vivid example of a court that has neither a system of accountability nor a system of transparency when it comes to recusal.https://n.pr/3wP1tjC— NPR (@NPR) 1648643721
Sharing in the call to action, Democratic Representatives Hank Johnson of Georgia, Nydia Velázquez of New York, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Pramila Jayapal of Washington and Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon have also spoken up on the inappropriateness of Justice Thomas' involvement in these cases.
Some are demanding recusal, some resignation and others impeachment.
Even Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Justice Thomas should resign.
He stated:
"I do think he should recuse himself…I think there should be some kind of code of ethics for Supreme Court justices."
Schumer on Clarence Thomas: \u201cI do think he should recuse himself\u2026I think there should be some kind of code of ethics for Supreme Court justices.\u201d— Manu Raju (@Manu Raju) 1648578669
Ocasio-Cortez said whatever happens, inaction will not suffice.
In a follow-up tweet, the Congresswoman wrote:
"Congress must understand that a failure to hold Clarence Thomas accountable sends a loud, dangerous signal to the full Court—Kavanaugh, Barrett, & the rest —that his acts are fair game."
"This is a tipping point."
"Inaction is a decision to erode and further delegitimize SCOTUS."
Congress must understand that a failure to hold Clarence Thomas accountable sends a loud, dangerous signal to the full Court - Kavanaugh, Barrett, & the rest - that his acts are fair game.\n\nThis is a tipping point. Inaction is a decision to erode and further delegitimize SCOTUS.— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) 1648562810
Many are in agreement.
I agree with @AOC; Clerance Thomas must resign or be impeached. The Supreme Court is compromised until this happens.— David Weissman (@David Weissman) 1648589116
One person tweeted:
"Clarence Thomas definitely should resign."
"I challenge all Americans to stand up and demand that our government conduct themselves in an appropriate manner."
"We are tired of the corruption and greed in this country."
Clarence Thomas definitely should resign. I challenge all Americans to stand up and demand that our government conduct themselves in an appropriate manner. We are tired of the corruption and greed in this country.— Richard Tremper (@Richard Tremper) 1648651373
Someone else responded:
"Agreed! Justice Clarence Thomas' misconduct on the bench speaks for itself."
"Yes, demand and conduct a full investigation, Impeachment if he fails to resign, and do not forget prosecution!"
Agreed! Justice Clarence Thomas' misconduct on the bench speaks for itself. Yes, demand and conduct a full investigation, Impeachment if he fails to resign, and do not forget prosecution!— TOGETHER WE WIN! / \u00a1JUNTOS GANAMOS! (@TOGETHER WE WIN! / \u00a1JUNTOS GANAMOS!) 1648574698
While justices are afforded the discretion to decide which cases to recuse themselves from, many feel Justice Thomas has committed an unforgivable ethical violation as a Supreme Court Justice.
The respect for the Court is its firmest source of authority.
Without accountability, the fabric of our government is at stake.
