Supreme Court Justice John Roberts has turned down a request to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
The request from Committee Chairman Dick Durbin (D-IL) noted the rare opportunity last occurring nearly 90 years ago.
BREAKING: Chief Justice Roberts refuses to participate in high-tech lynching of Justice Thomas -- rejects leftist effort to use him to abuse and smear Justice Thomas and to intimidate the Supreme Court. https://t.co/eSZzqJXKxo https://t.co/mNnMKOcACp
— Tom Fitton (@TomFitton) April 26, 2023
“I am surprised that the Chief Justice’s recounting of existing legal standards of ethics suggests current law is adequate and ignores the obvious," he wrote.
"The actions of one Justice, including trips on yachts and private jets, were not reported to the public. That same Justice failed to disclose the sale of properties he partly owned to a party with interests before the Supreme Court," he continued.
“It is time for Congress to accept its responsibility to establish an enforceable code of ethics for the Supreme Court, the only agency of our government without it,” Durbin added.
NEW: Supreme Court Chief Justice Roberts asked to testify before Senate about ethics rules for justices and potential reforms. https://t.co/uKjf7Ib1Sl
— NBC News (@NBCNews) April 20, 2023
"Durbin didn’t cite any specific examples of potential ethics violations. ProPublica recently published reports about how Justice Clarence Thomas didn’t disclose gifts and luxury travel from wealthy GOP donor Harlan Crow, as well as about the sale of properties from Thomas' family to Crow," NBC News reported.
"Those allegations have been referred to a judicial committee that reviews financial disclosures," the outlet added.
Chief Justice John Roberts declines Democrat’s invite to testify before Senate on court ethics https://t.co/zuIz30dvs6 pic.twitter.com/oL3d8rbjRb
— New York Post (@nypost) April 26, 2023
Durbin stated on Tuesday that the Senate intends to investigate the Supreme Court ethics concerns whether the court participates or not.
The issues are part of attacks by Democrats against the current Supreme Court as it currently includes a 6-3 conservative majority.
Former President Donald Trump nominated three conservative justices during his four years in office due to three openings that occurred during his term.
The latest letter to Roberts shows that Senate Democrats are working to move beyond the reports concerning Thomas and are seeking actions to discredit him further.
The ongoing attacks on the justice are part of a larger push by the left to either replace conservative justices or pack the court with more justices to allow progressives an advantage in the nation's highest court.
