Senate Judiciary Committee is investigating Supreme Court's ethical practices and calling for a binding code of ethics.
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas took several undisclosed trips on Republican megadonor Harlan Crow's private jet and yacht between 2017 and 2021.
Thomas previously disclosed two other trips paid for by Crow that were not reported.
Trips included travel to St. Louis, Kalispell, Mont., Savannah, Ga., San Jose, Calif., and Indonesia.
In a recent development, it has been revealed that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas took several trips on the private jet of Republican megadonor Harlan Crow between 2017 and 2021, which were not disclosed in his financial disclosure reports. According to documents obtained by the Senate Judiciary Committee, Thomas traveled to St. Louis and Kalispell, Mont., in May 2017; from Washington, D.C., to Savannah, Ga., and back in March 2019; and from Washington, D.C., to San Jose, Calif., and back in June 2021 on Crow's private jet. In addition to these trips by private jet, Thomas also stayed on Crow's mega-yacht during the Indonesia trip in July 2019.
These revelations come after Thomas disclosed two previously undisclosed trips to California and Indonesia that were also paid for by Crow. The Supreme Court has been under scrutiny for its ethical practices, with calls for a binding code of ethics to be implemented.
Senate Judiciary Chairman Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) stated, “The Senate Judiciary Committee's ongoing investigation into the Supreme Court's ethical crisis is producing new information like what we have revealed today. It is crystal clear that the highest court needs an enforceable code of conduct because its members continue to choose not to meet the moment.”
Thomas has previously stated that he was advised he did not need to disclose gifts of personal hospitality from friends who did not have cases before the Supreme Court. However, these trips and other undisclosed gifts have raised concerns about transparency and ethics within the court.
Justice Clarence Thomas took private jet trips to St. Louis and Kalispell, Mont., and a return flight to Dallas in May 2017 that were not disclosed.
Thomas failed to disclose private jet travel for the July 2019 trip to Indonesia
Thomas failed to disclose an eight-day yacht excursion for the July 2019 trip to Indonesia
Thomas failed to disclose private jet travel for the July 2019 trip to Santa Rosa, California
Accuracy
Justice Thomas took private jet trips to St. Louis and Kalispell, Mont., and a return flight to Dallas in May 2017 that were not disclosed.
Deception
(30%)
The article reports on undisclosed trips taken by Justice Clarence Thomas that were paid for by a conservative donor, Harlan Crow. The author does not provide any editorializing or pontification in the passage provided. However, the article does use emotional manipulation and sensationalism to grab the reader's attention with phrases like 'recently-disclosed trips' and 'further calling into question the accuracy of the details Justice Thomas decides to disclose'. The author also engages in selective reporting by only mentioning undisclosed trips paid for by Crow, while omitting any information about other sources of funding for Thomas' travel. This creates a misleading impression that all of Thomas' travel was funded by Crow and not disclosed.
Additionally, Crow’s documents show different dates for the July 2019 Indonesia trip, further calling into question the accuracy of the details Justice Thomas decides to disclose.
The documents also showed private jet travel for the recently-disclosed July 2019 trip to Indonesia; an eight-day yacht excursion for the recently-disclosed July 2019 trip to Indonesia; and private jet travel for the recently-disclosed July 2019 trip to Santa Rosa, California, all of which Thomas failed to disclose in his amendment to his 2019 financial disclosure report last week.
Fallacies
(80%)
The author makes several statements about undisclosed trips and gifts taken by Justice Clarence Thomas that were paid for by a conservative donor named Harlan Crow. These statements imply that Thomas failed to disclose important information, which could be considered an omission or a form of deception. However, the author does not explicitly state that Thomas committed a fallacy in his reporting.
]The documents also showed private jet travel for the recently-disclosed July 2019 trip to Indonesia; an eight-day yacht excursion for the recently-disclosed July 2019 trip to Indonesia; and private jet travel for the recently-disclosed July 2019 trip to Santa Rosa, California, all of which Thomas failed to disclose in his amendment to his 2019 financial disclosure report last week.[/
Bias
(75%)
The author uses language that depicts Justice Thomas's failure to disclose trips as a negative and implies that the trips themselves are problematic. The author also mentions the controversy surrounding the court and other justices who have received gifts or travel from donors.
Public trust in the court has fallen amid revelations that Thomas received gifts and travel from Crow. Justice Samuel Alito has also been criticized for failing to disclose a fishing trip with Paul Singer, a big Republican donor with cases before the Supreme Court.
The chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee said Thursday that the panel's subpoena of a conservative donor revealed additional travel and gifts to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, which the justice had not disclosed.
The documents also showed private jet travel for the recently-disclosed July 2019 trip to Indonesia; an eight-day yacht excursion for the recently-disclosed July 2019 trip to Indonesia; and private jet travel for the recently-disclosed July 2019 trip to Santa Rosa, California, all of which Thomas failed to disclose in his amendment to his 2019 financial disclosure report last week.
Justice Clarence Thomas took three previously unreported trips paid for by Harlan Crow between 2017 and 2021.
Thomas failed to disclose private jet travel for the July 2019 trip to Indonesia
Thomas failed to disclose an eight-day yacht excursion for the July 2019 trip to Indonesia
Senate Democrats attempted to pass a bill providing a binding code of ethics for the Supreme Court, but it was scuttled by Republicans.
Accuracy
The number of undisclosed trips taken by Justice Clarence Thomas paid for by Harlan Crow.
The specific destinations of some of the undisclosed trips (e.g., Savannah, Ga., and San Jose) that were not mentioned in all articles.
Whether or not Thomas stayed overnight during some of the undisclosed trips.
Deception
(10%)
The article reports on previously unreported trips taken by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas that were paid for by Harlan Crow. The article does not provide any editorializing or pontification from the authors, and there is no emotional manipulation or sensationalism present. However, the article does engage in selective reporting as it only reports on the unreported trips and does not mention any context regarding why these trips may be considered ethical or acceptable. The article also references a statement from an attorney for Thomas stating that the information provided by Crow fell under the 'personal hospitality exemption' and was not required to be disclosed by Thomas. This is an example of selective reporting as it only reports on one side of the argument without providing any counter-arguments or context. The article also does not provide any peer-reviewed studies or references to support any claims made, but this is not a violation as no scientific or health claims are being made.
The documents provided necessary transparency and the trips should have been reported on financial disclosures.
The information that Harlan Crow provided to the Senate Judiciary Committee fell under the ‘personal hospitality exemption’ and was not required to be disclosed by Justice Thomas.
Justice Clarence Thomas took a private jet from Washington, D.C., to Savannah, Ga., and back in March 2019 that was not disclosed.
Accuracy
Justice Clarence Thomas took three private jet trips paid for by Harlan Crow that were not disclosed: one to a city in Montana near Glacier National Park in 2017, another to his hometown, Savannah, Ga., in March 2019, and one to Northern California in 2021.
Thomas failed to disclose private jet travel for the July 2019 trip to Indonesia
Thomas failed to disclose an eight-day yacht excursion for the July 2019 trip to Indonesia
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains appeals to authority and inflammatory rhetoric. It also presents a dichotomous depiction of Justice Clarence Thomas's relationship with Harlan Crow.
. . . Justice Clarence Thomas never disclosed three trips aboard the private jet of the Texas billionaire Harlan Crow, according to documents obtained by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
The revelation underlined the extent to which Justice Thomas has relied on the generosity of his friends over the years and the consistency with which he declined to report those ties.
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas failed to disclose three trips paid for by GOP mega-donor Harlan Crow that were not disclosed in the Senate Judiciary Committee's records.
Crow delivered documents to the committee dating back seven years, which included information about these undisclosed trips involving private jet travel and a yacht excursion in Bali.
A recent report estimates Thomas received gifts totaling nearly $4.2 million, more than other justices.
Accuracy
The number of undisclosed trips taken by Clarence Thomas and paid for by Harlan Crow varies between articles.
The exact destinations of some trips are not consistent across all articles.
Deception
(30%)
The article by Al Weaver contains selective reporting and emotional manipulation. The author only reports details that support the Senate Judiciary Committee's position against Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas for failing to disclose three trips paid for by Harlan Crow. The author does not provide any context or information about the nature of these trips or why they were considered necessary to be disclosed. The author also uses emotional language, such as 'ethical crisis' and 'scandals,' to manipulate the reader's emotions against Thomas.
Despite an approval rating near all-time lows and never-ending, self-inflicted scandals, Chief Justice [John Roberts] still refuses to use his existing authority to implement an enforceable code of conduct
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas failed to disclose three trips that were paid for by GOP mega-donor Harlan Crow
The latest revelation comes amid the ongoing Democratic effort to pass a Supreme Court ethics package.
The Senate Judiciary Committee’s ongoing investigation into the Supreme Court’s ethical crisis is producing new information – like what we’ve revealed today – and makes it crystal clear that the highest court needs an enforceable code of conduct, because its members continue to choose not to meet the moment.
Fallacies
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Bias
(80%)
The author, Al Weaver, demonstrates a clear bias against Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas by reporting on his failure to disclose three trips paid for by GOP mega-donor Harlan Crow without mentioning any potential extenuating circumstances or context. The author also quotes Senate Judiciary Chair Dick Durbin making critical statements about Thomas and the need for ethics reform in the Supreme Court.
Despite an approval rating near all-time lows and never-ending, self-inflicted scandals, Chief Justice [John Roberts] still refuses to use his existing authority to implement an enforceable code of conduct.
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas failed to disclose three trips that were paid for by GOP mega-donor Harlan Crow, according to information obtained by the Senate Judiciary Committee and released Thursday.
The Senate Judiciary Committee's ongoing investigation into the Supreme Court's ethical crisis is producing new information – like what we’ve revealed today – and makes it crystal clear that the highest court needs an enforceable code of conduct, because its members continue to choose not to meet the moment.
Updated at 6:33 p.m. ET Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved.
Justice Clarence Thomas took trips on Harlan Crow’s private plane in 2017, 2019 and 2021 that were not previously disclosed.
Thomas stayed on Crow’s mega-yacht during the Indonesia trip in 2019.
Senate Judiciary Chairman Dick Durbin obtained information about these trips.
Accuracy
Thomas failed to disclose travel on Crow’s private plane for the July 2019 trip to Indonesia.
Deception
(30%)
The article reports on Justice Clarence Thomas taking trips on Harlan Crow's private plane that were not previously disclosed. The authors do not make any editorializing or pontification statements, but they do use emotional manipulation by implying that the undisclosed trips add to a picture of luxury travel and ethics scandals involving Thomas. They also use selective reporting by only mentioning the newly revealed private plane trips and not disclosing that Thomas has previously stated he was advised at the time that he was not required to report such hospitality. The article does disclose sources, but it is important to note that these sources are Democrats who are likely biased against Thomas.
Despite his serious and continued concerns about the legality and necessity of the inquiry, Mr. Crow engaged in good faith negotiations with the Committee from the beginning.
The newly revealed private plane trips add to the picture of luxury travel enjoyed by Thomas and bankrolled by friends of the justice who have ties to conservative politics.
Fallacies
(80%)
The authors commit an appeal to authority fallacy by stating that 'Senate Judiciary Chairman Dick Durbin obtained information' and 'According to information obtained by Senate Judiciary Chairman Dick Durbin'. This implies that the information is trustworthy because it came from a reputable source, but it does not guarantee the accuracy of the information or the fallacy-free nature of any conclusions drawn from it. The authors also use inflammatory rhetoric by describing Thomas's travel as 'luxury travel' and 'jet-setting lifestyle'.
The Senate Judiciary Chairman obtained information...
According to information obtained by Senate Judiciary Chairman Dick Durbin...
Bias
(80%)
The authors of the article, Tierney Sneed and John Fritze, demonstrate a clear bias towards implying wrongdoing on the part of Justice Clarence Thomas by repeatedly referring to him as having 'failed to include such trips on financial disclosure forms' and 'coming under fire for his failure to include such trips'. They also use language that depicts Thomas' travel as 'luxury travel' and a 'jet-setting lifestyle', implying that it is unreasonable or extreme. The authors do not provide any evidence of wrongdoing on Thomas' part, only implying it through their choice of language.
The newly revealed private plane trips add to the picture of luxury travel enjoyed by Thomas and bankrolled by friends of the justice who have ties to conservative politics.
Thomas has come under fire for his failure to include such trips on financial disclosure forms the justices release each year, though he and his defenders argue that he followed the court’s disclosure rules as they were understood at the time.
