We Cannot Let Billionaires Buy the Supreme Court
QUICK READ: To protect the Supreme Court’s legitimacy, the egregious corruption of Clarence Thomas and the other MAGA Justices demands immediate Congressional action.
CONTENTS:
BACKGROUND
Almost monthly we learn from Pro Publica about additional lavish gifts Justice Thomas received from conservative billionaires that he failed to disclose. The most recent count: at least 38 vacations, 26 private jet flights, 8 by helicopter, stays at luxury resorts in Florida and Jamaica, a dozen VIP passes to professional and college sporting events. Recently, the New York Times reported a billionaire friend had financed Thomas’ 1999 purchase of a luxury motor home worth more than $250,000.
Circumstantial evidence suggests Thomas was influenced by his rich friends and possibly sold his votes to the wealthiest bidders. His failure to recuse himself from the 8 SCUTUS cases in which billionaire Harlan Crow had an interest and his votes favoring Crow’s interests supports this interpretation.
Many legal experts claim Thomas’ use of his lofty position to enrich himself violated the law, since he failed to disclose these gifts. Justice Alito and the other MAGA Justices face similar ethics scandals, helping to reduce the Court’s standing to an all-time low.
Like President Trump’s corrupt behavior, these Justices’ slavish lifestyles, supported by billionaires hoping to influence the Court, have weakened the fabric of our democracy. It must not go unpunished.
ACTION One: Call the Senate.
Script for Oregon Senators
SEN. MERKLEY: Portland office: 503-326-3386 | D.C. office: 202-224-3753
My name is [--] and I'm a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
The continuing exposés of corruption by certain of the Supreme Court Justices demand Congress’ immediate action:
- Defending the integrity of the Supreme Court by investigating the shameful ethical lapses by Thomas, Alito and the other Justices who have violated the law by failing to report the gifts they receive;
- Passing meaningful ethics reform which is supported by 78% of Americans;
- Expanding the Court from 9 to 13 to dilute the impact of this corruption and guarantee the Court’s legitimacy.
*SEN. WYDEN:* Portland office: 503-326-7525 | D.C. office: 202-224-5244
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
The continuing exposés of corruption by certain of the Supreme Court Justices demand Congress’ immediate action:
- Defending the integrity of the Supreme Court by investigating the shameful ethical lapses by Thomas, Alito and the other Justices who have violated the law by failing to report the gifts they receive;
- Passing meaningful ethics reform which is supported by 78% of Americans;
- Expanding the Court from 9 to 13 to dilute the impact of this corruption and guarantee the Court’s legitimacy.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
The continuing exposés of corruption by certain of the Supreme Court Justices demand Congress’ immediate action:
- Defending the integrity of the Supreme Court by investigating the shameful ethical lapses by Thomas, Alito and the other Justices who have violated the law by failing to report the gifts they receive;
- Passing meaningful ethics reform which is supported by 78% of Americans;
- Expanding the Court from 9 to 13 to dilute the impact of this corruption and guarantee the Court’s legitimacy.
ACTION TWO: Call the House.
Script for Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)
Oregon office: 503-469-6010 | DC office: 202-225-0855
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
The continuing exposés of corruption by certain of the Supreme Court Justices demand Congress’ immediate action:
- Defending the integrity of the Supreme Court by investigating the shameful ethical lapses by Thomas, Alito and the other Justices who have violated the law by failing to report the gifts they receive;
- Passing meaningful ethics reform which is supported by 78% of Americans;
- Expanding the Court from 9 to 13 to dilute the impact of this corruption and guarantee the Court’s legitimacy.
Script for Cliff Bentz (OR-02)
Medford office: 541-776-4646 | DC office: 202-225-6730
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
The continuing exposés of corruption by certain of the Supreme Court Justices demand Congress’ immediate action:
- Defending the integrity of the Supreme Court by investigating the shameful ethical lapses by Thomas, Alito and the other Justices who have violated the law by failing to report the gifts they receive;
- Passing meaningful ethics reform which is supported by 78% of Americans;
- Expanding the Court from 9 to 13 to dilute the impact of this corruption and guarantee the Court’s legitimacy.
Script for Earl Blumenauer (OR-03)
Oregon office: 503-231-2300 | DC office: 202-225-4811
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
The continuing exposés of corruption by certain of the Supreme Court Justices demand Congress’ immediate action:
- Defending the integrity of the Supreme Court by investigating the shameful ethical lapses by Thomas, Alito and the other Justices who have violated the law by failing to report the gifts they receive;
- Passing meaningful ethics reform which is supported by 78% of Americans;
- Expanding the Court from 9 to 13 to dilute the impact of this corruption and guarantee the Court’s legitimacy.
Script for Val Hoyle (OR-04)
Eugene office: 541-465-6732 | DC office: 202-225-6416
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
The continuing exposés of corruption by certain of the Supreme Court Justices demand Congress’ immediate action:
- Defending the integrity of the Supreme Court by investigating the shameful ethical lapses by Thomas, Alito and the other Justices who have violated the law by failing to report the gifts they receive;
- Passing meaningful ethics reform which is supported by 78% of Americans;
- Expanding the Court from 9 to 13 to dilute the impact of this corruption and guarantee the Court’s legitimacy.
Script for Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05)
Salem office: 503-588-9100 | DC office: 202-225-5711
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
The continuing exposés of corruption by certain of the Supreme Court Justices demand Congress’ immediate action:
- Defending the integrity of the Supreme Court by investigating the shameful ethical lapses by Thomas, Alito and the other Justices who have violated the law by failing to report the gifts they receive;
- Passing meaningful ethics reform which is supported by 78% of Americans;
- Expanding the Court from 9 to 13 to dilute the impact of this corruption and guarantee the Court’s legitimacy.
Script for Andrea Salinas (OR-06)
Salem office: 503-385-0906 | DC office: 202-225-5643
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
The continuing exposés of corruption by certain of the Supreme Court Justices demand Congress’ immediate action:
- Defending the integrity of the Supreme Court by investigating the shameful ethical lapses by Thomas, Alito and the other Justices who have violated the law by failing to report the gifts they receive;
- Passing meaningful ethics reform which is supported by 78% of Americans;
- Expanding the Court from 9 to 13 to dilute the impact of this corruption and guarantee the Court’s legitimacy.
