Sen. Dick Durbin's bizarre response to Justice Thomas' alleged ethical breach underscores why Supreme Court justices might act like they're above the law. (via Deadline: Legal Blog)
To take just one example among many unanswered questions, Thomas said in a statement after ProPublica’s reporting that he had “sought guidance from my colleagues and others in the judiciary, and was advised that this sort of personal hospitality ... was not reportable.
And, just a day after Durbin's deference to the justice on"Meet the Press," Bloomberg News reported on Monday that Crowhave business before the court in at least one case, whereas Thomas had previously pointed to Crow's supposed lack of business before the court as justifying his nondisclosure. Now, if it came to subpoenaing any of the justices, that could be a tough legal battle. And the absence of Democratic Judiciary Committee member Dianne Feinstein for health reasons, which curbs the Democrats’ committee majority and subpoena power, could partly be animating Durbin’s weak approach.
But if that’s the case, Durbin would do better to note those real issues, rather than withdrawing from a fight before one starts. Indeed, the sad exchange underscores why Supreme Court justices act like there isn’t a real check on them— because it doesn’t seem like there is one.
Brasil Últimas Notícias, Brasil Manchetes
Similar News:Você também pode ler notícias semelhantes a esta que coletamos de outras fontes de notícias.
Dick Durbin says allegations against Thomas regarding undisclosed gifts show a 'conflict of interest'Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) said that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas's undisclosed gifts and trips from GOP donor Harlan Crow show a 'conflict of interest.'
Consulte Mais informação »
Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin calls for action to protect mail carriers after spike in armed robberiesIllinois Senator Dick Durbin is pushing to keep U.S. Postal Service (USPS) mail carriers safe after a number of workers were robbed on their routes.
Consulte Mais informação »
Sen. Wyden asks billionaire Harlan Crow for list of gifts to Supreme Court Justice ThomasSupreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has faced criticism for weeks over a report that Republican billionaire donor Harlan Crow treated him to luxury trips.
Consulte Mais informação »
A Trammell Crow-related case made it to the Supreme Court during Clarence Thomas’ tenureIn 2005, the high court declined to hear a Dallas architecture firm’s appeal in a case accusing Trammell Crow Residential Co. of misusing copyrighted building...
Consulte Mais informação »
Clarence Thomas' gifts from a wealthy GOP donor show a 'conflict of interest,' says Sen. Dick DurbinSenate Judiciary Committee Chair Dick Durbin said on NBC News' 'Meet the Press' that the Supreme Court 'has exempted itself' from ethics standards that apply to other judges.
Consulte Mais informação »