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."
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.
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."
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."
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."
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."
Many are in agreement.
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."
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!"
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.
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