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Republican U.S. Senate candidate Don Blankenship speaks to his supporters during the primary election in Charleston, West Virginia, U.S., May 8, 2018. In his appeal to the Supreme Court, Blankenship's lawyers said that the media is now dominated by a few giant corporations that seek profits ahead of public service. The Supreme Court previously rejected Blankenship's appeals seeking to overturn his conviction. Thomas in 2019 took aim at the 1964 defamation precedent in an opinion he wrote when the court refused to consider reviving a defamation lawsuit against Bill Cosby. Thomas added that defamation law was historically a matter for the states, and should remain that way.

Persons: Don Blankenship, Lexi Browning, Donald Blankenship's, Blankenship, Sullivan, Clarence Thomas, Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Joe Manchin, Blankenship's, Bill Cosby, Andrew Chung, Will Dunham Organizations: Republican U.S, Senate, REUTERS, U.S, Supreme, Massey Energy, Fox News, MSNBC, U.S . Senate, New York Times, Conservative, Republican, Democratic, Washington Post, Boston Globe, Circuit, Big Branch, Thomson Locations: Charleston , West Virginia, U.S, West Virginia, Richmond , Virginia, Massey's

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court rejected an appeal Tuesday from former coal executive Don Blankenship, who argued that major news outlets defamed him by calling him a “felon.”The justices left in place an appellate ruling against Blankenship, the former CEO of Massey Energy. He served a year in prison on a misdemeanor charge after he was found guilty of conspiring to violate safety standards at a West Virginia mine before an explosion in 2010 that killed 29 men. Justice Clarence Thomas, while agreeing with the court's action Tuesday, repeated his call for the court to overturn its landmark 1964 libel ruling in New York Times v. Sullivan. The high court had previously turned away Blankenship's appeal of his conviction. Political Cartoons View All 1206 Images

Persons: Don Blankenship, ”, Blankenship, Clarence Thomas, Sullivan Organizations: WASHINGTON, Massey Energy, New York Times, U.S, Circuit, CNN, Fox News, Senate Locations: West Virginia, New

The CFPB's funding design draws money each year from the Federal Reserve instead of from budgets passed by lawmakers. Challengers to the CFPB - trade groups representing the high-interest payday loan industry - argued that the agency's funding structure violates a constitutional provision giving Congress the power of the purse. The Supreme Court's 6-3 conservative majority has rolled back the power of federal agencies including the Environmental Protection Agency in important rulings in recent years. The court's three liberal justices pressed the challengers on the repercussions of deeming the CFPB's funding structure unconstitutional. Circuit Court of Appeals, which last October ruled that the CFPB's funding structure violated the Appropriations Clause.

Persons: Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Kevin Wurm, Joe Biden's, Elizabeth Prelogar, Biden, Elena Kagan, Barack Obama, Wells, John Kruzel, Will Dunham Organizations: U.S, Supreme, REUTERS, Companies Wells, Co, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Federal, Environmental Protection Agency, Conservative, Federal Reserve, Democratic, New, Circuit, Appeals, Republican, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, WASHINGTON, New Orleans

☆ Clarence Thomas' recusal on 'frivolous' January 6 appeal is a 'low-stakes' opportunity for him to fight ethics allegations, Supreme Court expert says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-03 | by ( Erin Snodgrass | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Clarence Thomas recused himself for the first time from a January 6-related matter this week. A Supreme Court expert said media scrutiny into Thomas' ethics may have convinced him to recuse. AdvertisementAdvertisementAfter months of media scrutiny, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas recused himself for the first time from a matter regarding the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack. But the Eastman appeal from which Thomas recused himself was effectively settled before the court declined to review the appeal. Regardless of his reasons, Thomas ultimately did the right thing in recusing himself from the Eastman appeal, Lemieux said.

Persons: Clarence Thomas, Thomas, —, Trump, John Eastman's, Eastman, Ginny, Trump's, Harlan Crow, Scott Lemieux, didn't, John Eastman, Rudy Giuliani, Jim Bourg, Lemieux, recusal, recusing Organizations: Service, Supreme, White, Trump, Bloomberg, University of Washington, Eastman Locations: Georgia, Virginia

☆ Sen. Durbin renews call for a Supreme Court code of conduct amid ethics concerns
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-02 | by ( Emma Kinery | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON — Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin called on the Supreme Court to create a code of conduct as its new term begins Monday. Durbin for about a dozen years has, without success, asked the Supreme Court to adopt an enforceable code of conduct. Supreme Court justices are the only federal judges who are exempt from the official ethics rules. The Supreme Court has been under scrutiny this year because of media reports about justices receiving luxury travel, gifts, and other benefits. Durbin earlier this year asked Chief Justice John Roberts to appear before the Judiciary Committee to discuss Supreme Court ethics after the articles were first published.

Persons: Amy Coney Barrett, Neil M, Gorsuch, Brett M, Kavanaugh, Ketanji Brown Jackson, Sonia Sotomayor, Clarence Thomas, John G, Roberts, Jr, Samuel A, Alito, Elena Kagan, Dick Durbin, Durbin, ProPublica, Harlan Crow's, Samuel Alito, Paul, John Roberts Organizations: Supreme, WASHINGTON, Elliott Management Locations: Washington, WASHINGTON —, Argentina

WASHINGTON (AP) — The justices are taking the bench at the Supreme Court for the first time since late June. Several cases also confront the court with the continuing push by conservatives to constrict federal regulatory agencies. Limits on mifepristone, a drug used in the most common method of abortion, could be before the court by spring. Apart from cases, the justices are discussing a first-ever code of conduct, though disagreements remain, Justice Elena Kagan said recently. The push to codify ethical standards for the justices stems from a series of stories questioning some of their practices.

Persons: Roe, Wade, Donald Trump, Elena Kagan, Clarence Thomas, Harlan Crow, Koch, Samuel Alito, Sonia Sotomayor Organizations: WASHINGTON, Supreme, Financial, Bureau

"We're disappointed, of course," Anthony Caso, a lawyer for Eastman, said of the court's decision not to hear the appeal. In decisions in 2022, U.S. District Court Judge David Carter in Santa Ana ordered certain emails to be turned over, including those related to court efforts by Trump and Eastman to delay congressional certification of Biden's victory. Carter ruled that Trump and Eastman had "more likely than not" committed a crime in trying to obstruct Congress. Eastman has sought to erase the judge's determination that the "crime-fraud" exception applied to some of the emails. Trump is the frontrunner for the Republican nomination to face Biden in the 2024 election.

Persons: John Eastman, Yuri Gripas, Donald Trump's, Clarence Thomas, Thomas, Eastman, Virginia, Ginni, We're, Anthony Caso, Trump's, Joe Biden's, David Carter, Trump, Carter, Mike Pence, Pence, Biden, Andrew Chung, Will Dunham Organizations: National Organization, IRS, REUTERS, Rights, U.S, Supreme, Conservative, Washington Post, Democratic, Capitol, Trump . Eastman, Chapman University, Trump, Eastman, San, Circuit, Republican, Thomson Locations: Washington, California, U.S, Santa Ana, San Francisco, Georgia's Fulton County

☆ Clarence Thomas recuses as Supreme Court rejects appeal by Trump lawyer John Eastman
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-02 | by ( Christina Wilkie | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Associate Justice Clarence Thomas during the formal group photograph at the Supreme Court in Washington, DC, US, on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022. WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Monday refused to take an appeal by former Trump lawyer John Eastman related to emails of his turned over to the House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Justice Clarence Thomas was not involved in considering or deciding Eastman's request that the Supreme Court toss lower court rulings related to the emails, the court said in declining to hear the case. Thomas' recusal, which was not explained, is the first time he has removed himself from a case involving the Jan. 6 insurrection by a mob of supporters of former President Donald Trump.

Persons: Clarence Thomas, WASHINGTON —, Trump, John Eastman, Thomas ' recusal, Donald Trump Organizations: WASHINGTON, Capitol, Supreme Locations: Washington , DC

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court seems a bit quieter than in recent years, as the justices begin a new term. Political Cartoons View All 1190 ImagesSome things to know about the Supreme Court’s new term:GUNS AND ABORTION, REDUXThe justices' decision in June 2022 on guns altered how courts are supposed to evaluate restrictions on firearms. 5TH CIRCUITThe federal appeals court in New Orleans is keeping the Supreme Court busy. Federal judges are weighing various appeals related to the prosecution of Trump in federal courts in Washington and Florida, and state courts in Georgia and New York. The Supreme Court almost always wants the last word in deciding what a provision of the Constitution means.

Persons: Donald Trump, Biden, John Roberts, Clarence Thomas, Harlan Crow, Koch, Samuel Alito, Sonia Sotomayor, Brett Kavanaugh, Elana Kagan, Kagan, ”, TRUMP, Trump, it's, Richard Hasen Organizations: WASHINGTON, Supreme, U.S, Circuit, Appeals, Consumer Financial Protection, Securities, Exchange Commission, University of Notre Dame Locations: United States, New Orleans, Texas, Washington and Florida, Georgia, New York

On the heels of that decision, a federal appeals court invalidated a federal law that bars an individual who is subject to a domestic violence restraining order from possessing a firearm. A three-judge district court panel struck down the plan in January, saying that race had been the predominant motivating factor. Three years ago, the Supreme Court limited the independence of the CFPB by invalidating its leadership structure. The court’s decision could impact whether the SEC and other agencies can conduct enforcement proceedings in-house, using administrative courts staffed with agency employees, or whether such actions must be brought in federal court. “It’s difficult to think of any other recent First Amendment cases in which the stakes were so high,” Jaffer added.

Persons: Clarence Thomas, ”, Biden, Zackey Rahimi, John Roberts, Taiwan Scott, Thomas, Elizabeth Prelogar, Magnuson, Paul Clement, ” Clement, “, pare, George Jarkesy, Sackler, ” Prelogar, Jameel Jaffer, Jaffer Organizations: CNN, Gun Safety, South Carolina’s Republican, South Carolina State Conference of, NAACP, Democrat, Republican, National Marine Fisheries Service, Chevron, Natural Resources Defense, Stevens Fishery Conservation, Management, Independent, Consumer Financial, Federal Reserve, US, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Securities, Exchange, US Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, Social Security Administration, Circuit, Historic Purdue Pharma, Purdue Pharma, Sackler, Purdue, Facebook, YouTube, Columbia University’s Locations: United States, South Carolina, Alabama, Taiwan, Charleston County, Chevron, Florida, Texas

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is returning to a new term to take up some familiar topics — guns and abortion — and concerns about ethics swirling around the justices. Lower-profile but vitally important, several cases in the term that begins Monday ask the justices to constrict the power of regulatory agencies. Political Cartoons View All 1190 ImagesBut the federal appeals court in New Orleans struck down the funding mechanism. The abortion case likely to be heard by the justices also would be the court's first word on the topic since it reversed Roe v. Wade’s right to abortion. But in some important cases last term, the court split in unusual ways.

Persons: Donald Trump, Democrat Joe Biden, ”, Jeffrey Wall, Trump, Biden, Roe, John Roberts, Irv Gornstein, ” Gornstein, Amy Coney Barrett, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh —, Kavanaugh, Roberts, Barrett, Clarence Thomas, Harlan Crow, Koch, Samuel Alito, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, ” Kagan, Alito, Thomas Organizations: WASHINGTON, Republican, Democrat, Consumer Financial, Bureau, Federal Reserve, U.S, Circuit, Appeals, 5th Circuit, Trump, Institute, Gallup, University of Notre Dame, Democratic Locations: New Orleans, Texas, United States, Georgetown, Alabama

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, whose trailblazing career embodied the rise of women in politics, the movement for gun safety and, finally, a determination to keep serving her California constituents despite illness and advancing age, has died. In the past two years, it was apparent Feinstein was having memory issues, and sometimes appeared befuddled on Capitol Hill. Tributes from lawmakers in both parties flowed Friday morning, as somber Senate lawmakers mourned the loss of their colleague. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, California Democrat and House speaker emeritus, sat in the Senate gallery, listening to the tearful tributes with Feinstein's daughter, Katherine. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Alaska Republican, lauded "the beauty of Dianne Feinstein" and chastised those who pressured Feinstein to step down, not appreciating the sacrifices the ailing California lawmaker made to serve her state.

Persons: Sen, Dianne Feinstein, Feinstein, Chuck Schumer, Nancy Pelosi, Feinstein's, Katherine, Republican Sen, Susan Collins of, Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Murkowski, Patty Murray, Murray, Joe Biden, Dianne, –, Biden, Jill, ”, George Moscone, Harvey Milk, Dan White, Anita Hill, Clarence Thomas, Thomas, Barbara Boxer, GOP Sen, Pete Wilson, Feinstein –, Ted Cruz, I've, Sandy Hook, John McCain, Barack Obama, Gavin Newsom Organizations: Capitol, demurred, New, New York Democrat, California Democrat, Republican, Alaska Republican, Washington Democrat, San Francisco City Hall, San Francisco, California, GOP, Democratic, CIA, Gov, Democrat, California Democrats, Democrats Locations: California, New York, Susan Collins of Maine, Alaska, Washington, San Francisco, San, Delaware, Ted Cruz of Texas, –, Connecticut, Iraq

☆ Supreme Court agrees to hear case on whether states can regulate social media companies like TikTok and Meta
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Florida and Texas laws regulating social media platforms are up for review by the Supreme Court. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Supreme Court agreed Friday to decide whether state laws that seek to regulate Facebook, TikTok, X and other social media platforms violate the Constitution. While the details vary, both laws aim to prevent the social media companies from censoring users based on their viewpoints. AdvertisementAdvertisementSeparately, the high court also could consider a lower-court order limiting executive branch officials' communications with social media companies about controversial online posts. In dissent, Alito wrote, "Social media platforms have transformed the way people communicate with each other and obtain news."

Persons: —, Donald Trump, Trump, John Roberts, Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor, Brett Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Elena Kagan, Neil Gorsuch, Alito, Chris Marchese Organizations: Supreme, Service, Facebook, Republican Locations: Florida, Texas, Florida and Texas

☆ Dianne Feinstein's historic senate career and accomplishments in photos
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( Talia Lakritz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

Dianne Feinstein was elected to the Senate in 1992, which became known as the "Year of the Woman." Dianne Feinstein speaks at the Democratic National Convention in 1992. Mark Reinstein/Corbis via Getty ImagesFeinstein previously served as the first female chair of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and the first female mayor of San Francisco. Feinstein and Barbara Boxer became California's senators, making it the first state to be represented in the Senate by two women. They were joined by Patty Murray and Carol Moseley Braun, who was the first Black woman elected to the Senate.

Persons: Dianne Feinstein, Mark Reinstein, Getty Images Feinstein, Anita Hill, Clarence Thomas, " Feinstein, Barbara Boxer, Patty Murray, Carol Moseley Braun Organizations: Senate, Democratic National Convention, Getty Images, San Francisco, Supervisors, Supreme Locations: San Francisco

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court agreed Friday to decide whether state laws that seek to regulate Facebook, TikTok, X and other social media platforms violate the Constitution. The justices will review laws enacted by Republican-dominated legislatures and signed by Republican governors in Florida and Texas. While the details vary, both laws aim to prevent the social media companies from censoring users based on their viewpoints. Separately, the high court also could consider a lower-court order limiting executive branch officials’ communications with social media companies about controversial online posts. By a 5-4 vote, the justices kept the Texas law on hold while litigation over it continues.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, John Roberts, Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor, Brett Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Elena Kagan, Neil Gorsuch, Alito, Chris Marchese Organizations: WASHINGTON, Supreme, Facebook, Republican, “ Locations: Florida and Texas, Texas

☆ Supreme Court to weigh GOP-backed social media ‘censorship’ laws
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( Lawrence Hurley | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

The Supreme Court of the United States building seen in Washington D.C., United States on September 28, 2023. The states argue that they have the authority to regulate social media companies to ensure that users receive equal access to the platforms. Circuit Court of Appeals, prompting the state to appeal to the Supreme Court. "It is not at all obvious how our existing precedents, which predate the age of the internet, should apply to large social media companies," he wrote. The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments and issue a ruling in its new term, which begins next week and ends in June.

Persons: WASHINGTON —, Donald Trump, Elon Musk, Biden, Ashley Moody, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, Elena Kagan, — David Ingram Organizations: Washington D.C, WASHINGTON, Republicans, Tech, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Computer and Communications Industry Association, U.S, Capitol, Trump, Disney, NBC News, Circuit, Supreme, Appeals, Conservative, Thomas, Liberal, Communications, Google Locations: United States, Washington, Florida, Texas, Atlanta, New Orleans

☆ The consequences of old, powerful politicians refusing to let go
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( Zachary B. Wolf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —Most people don’t want to work into their 80s and 90s, but the powerful in Washington refuse to let go. “Anybody who thinks that if I step down, Obama could appoint someone like me, they’re misguided,” she told Elle in 2014. Nikki Haley got some early attention for her presidential campaign when she suggested a mental competency test for politicians over 75. What voters like most of all is what they knowThe most powerful force in American politics isn’t age or ideas, but rather incumbency. Everyone may have to work longer in the futureAmerican life expectancy, despite advances in medical care, was 77.4 in 2020.

Persons: Sen, Dianne Feinstein, California Democrat –, –, Gavin Newsom, Feinstein, Mitch McConnell, Nancy Pelosi, Pelosi, ” Pelosi, CNN’s Anderson Cooper, ”, “ He’s, Mitt Romney, ” Romney, Biden, Donald Trump, George H.W, George H.W . Bush, Clarence Thomas –, Thurgood Marshall, Marshall, ” Marshall, Bill Clinton, Ginsburg, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Obama, “, Elle, Barack Obama, Amy Coney Barrett, Antonin Scalia, Nikki Haley, Trump, Haley, Ronald Reagan, Harry Enten, midterms, Charles Grassley, he’d, West Virginia Sen, Robert Byrd’s, Byrd, John McCain Organizations: CNN, California Democrat, California Gov, Capitol, Republican, Republicans, KGO, Utah Republican, Democrat, Former South Carolina Gov, Trump, Senate, Arizona Republican, Social Security Locations: Washington, California, Francisco, Utah, George H.W ., Former, West Virginia

☆ Supreme Court ethics concerns aren't going away
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Andrew Chung | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The ethics concerns are not going away, according to legal experts, even as the court in its new term takes up cases that could further expand gun rights and curtail the regulatory authority of federal agencies. Some conservatives view the ethics narrative involving the court as cooked up by liberals upset at its rightward leanings. Supreme Court justices decide for themselves whether to disqualify themselves from cases due to a conflict of interest. Thomas, Alito and lawyers involved in the two cases did not respond to requests for comment. The lack of an ethics code, Fogel added, "will continue to fuel doubts, fairly or unfairly, about the court's integrity."

Persons: Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Jeremy Fogel, drumbeat, John Malcolm, Malcolm, Thomas, Harlan Crow, ProPublica, Koch, Alito, Paul Singer, Singer's, Neil Gorsuch, Sonia Sotomayor, Geoffrey Stone, Fogel, Andrew Chung, John Kruzel, Will Dunham 私たち Organizations: U.S, Supreme, hobnobbing, Judicial, University of California, Berkeley School of Law, Reuters, Heritage Foundation, Singer, Singer's Elliott Investment Management, Windstream, University of Chicago Law Locations: U.S, Texas, Alaska, Chicago, New York, Washington

☆ Supreme Court returns for first private meeting of the term amid even more controversy
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Ariane De Vogue | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —The Supreme Court returns to Washington to face a new term and the fresh reality that critics increasingly view the court as a political body. Earlier this year, Roberts declined an invitation to appear before the Democratic-led Senate Judiciary Committee to discuss Supreme Court ethics, citing separation of powers concerns. Even if he did believe a formal ethics code is necessary, it’s unclear whether he would need a unanimous vote to move forward. Instead, they say, critics of the court are manufacturing a controversy to delegitimize the institution and staunch the flow of conservative opinions. Last week, she told an audience in Indiana that she thought it would be a “good” idea if the court were to adapt the ethics code used by lower court justices to fit the Supreme Court.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Roe, Wade, John Roberts, Roberts, Joe Biden’s, ”, Justice Elena Kagan, Sonia Sotomayor, Ketanji Brown Jackson, “, ” Kagan, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, ” Cate Stetson, Hogan Lovells, Dick Durbin, Durbin, recuses, Carrie Severino, Alito, forthrightly, ” Alito, “ I’ve, Elena Kagan, Amy Coney Barrett, Brett Kavanaugh Organizations: CNN, Democratic, Conservative, Cato Institute, Democrat, Judicial, Crisis Network Locations: Washington, Congress, Indiana, Lake Geneva , Wisconsin, Ohio

☆ Clarence Thomas spent time at the Koch Brothers' version of Coachella. Something tells us they weren't making each other flower crowns.
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-24 | by ( Hannah Getahun | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A new ProPublica report uncovered another undisclosed trip made by SCOTUS Justice Clarence Thomas. Either way, in 2018, the controversial judge flew into California's Coachella Valley for one of the snazziest events of the year. Of course, the event Thomas went to had nothing to do with the beloved music festival. Per the publication, a network of nonprofits handled by Charles Koch, an influential conservative, hosts its largest fundraiser in the Coachella Valley every winter. In 2010, reporters uncovered Thomas ' attendance at 2008's GOP-chella.

Persons: SCOTUS, Clarence Thomas, Koch, Thomas, Thomas didn't, ProPublica, Charles Koch, Deion Sanders, —, Queen Bey, — Thomas, Leonard Leo —, Justice — Organizations: Service, Prosperity, NFL, ., Justice Locations: Wall, Silicon, Southern California, Coachella, Indian Wells

☆ ProPublica Buries Its Clarence Thomas News
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( Ira Stoll | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/articles/propublica-buries-its-clarence-thomas-news-media-bias-political-ethics-de06903d

Persons: Dow Jones, thomas

☆ ProPublica: Clarence Thomas attended Koch network donor events
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Ariane De Vogue | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Washington CNN —Justice Clarence Thomas attended a private dinner in 2018 during a winter donor summit of the Koch network, the political organization founded by libertarian billionaires Charles and David Koch, ProPublica reported Friday. Thomas attended Koch donor events at least twice over the years, according to interviews with three former Koch network employees and one major donor conducted by ProPublica. Thomas arrived for the 2018 dinner on a Gulfstream G200 jet, although a Koch network spokesperson told the outlet that the network did not pay for the private jet and it was not disclosed on his financial disclosure forms for that year. A spokesperson for the Koch network told ProPublica that Thomas wasn’t present for fundraising conversations. CNN has reached out to the Supreme Court for comment.

Persons: Clarence Thomas, Koch, Charles, David Koch, ProPublica, Thomas, ”, Thomas ’, Thomas wasn’t, ” Thomas, Loper, Raimondo, Critics, Clarence Thomas ’, Charles Koch, Harlan Crow, Lisa Graves, Crow Organizations: Washington CNN —, Koch, ProPublica, Gulfstream G200, CNN, Loper Bright Enterprises, Inc, Conservatives, Chevron, Natural Resources Defense, True, Research, GOP Locations: Congress, Washington

☆ Ken Burns would like you to know he doesn't hang out with Clarence Thomas
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Taylor Berman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

A new ProPublica story features a photo of filmmaker Ken Buns with Clarence Thomas and David Koch. But Burns released a statement making it clear he doesn't know Thomas. But more shocking to many was the lead photo, which featured star PBS documentarian Ken Burns sandwiched between Thomas and David Koch. Other than the taking of that photograph and innocuous pleasantries, that's the extent of his contact with Justice Thomas." So now we know: Ken Burns and Clarence Thomas are not pals, according to Burns.

Persons: Ken, Clarence Thomas, David Koch, Koch, Burns, Thomas, ProPublica, Ken Burns, he's, Justice Thomas Organizations: Service, PBS, Yorker, Supreme, Hollywood Locations: Wall, Silicon, Vietnam

☆ Justice Kagan Calls for the Supreme Court to Adopt an Ethics Code
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Adam Liptak | More About Adam Liptak | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Justice Elena Kagan said on Friday that the Supreme Court should adopt a code of ethics, saying that “it would be a good thing for the court to do that.”Her comment, part of a wide-ranging live-streamed public interview at Notre Dame Law School, came on the day ProPublica reported that Justice Clarence Thomas had twice attended an annual event for donors organized by the conservative political network established by the billionaire industrialists Charles and David Koch. Justice Kagan did not discuss the report, but she said that an ethics code “would, I think, go far in persuading other people that we were adhering to the highest standards of conduct.” She added that “I hope we can make progress.”G. Marcus Cole, the law school’s dean, asked her to identify the holdout among the justices. She refused, saying the justices’ deliberations are private. “What goes on in the conference room stays in the conference room,” she said. She added that she did not want to suggest that there was a single holdout.

Persons: Elena Kagan, ”, Clarence Thomas, Charles, David Koch, Justice Kagan, G, Marcus Cole Organizations: Notre Dame Law School

☆ Real talk? Here's the probability a Supreme Court justice dies in the next presidential term
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Walt Hickey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The Supreme Court has a major impact on everyday Americans' lives. The thing is, the ramifications of what a Supreme Court can do are vastly more important than the feelings of a couple of justices. There is a 6-3 split on the court, with the justices appointed by GOP presidents enjoying a rather substantial lead. Democrats probably need to think about what an acceptable level of risk is for losing control of the Supreme Court for generations. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg decided against retiring during President Obama's term despite a desire from the president to ensure her replacement reflected her liberal values.

Persons: Roe, Wade, Biden, Sonia Sotomayor, Elana Kagan, Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Obama's, Trump, Amy Coney Barrett Organizations: Service, Social Security Administration, Republican, Democratic, GOP Locations: Wall, Silicon, it's

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