this post was submitted on 03 Jan 2025
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Summary

The U.S. Judicial Conference announced it will not refer ethics allegations against Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas to the Justice Department.

The allegations involve undisclosed luxury trips funded by wealthy friends, which Thomas claims were exempt from disclosure due to personal ties.

Thomas agreed to updated reporting requirements on trips and gifts, addressing concerns about undisclosed luxury trips funded by wealthy benefactors.

Critics argue the decision underscores the need for Congress to establish mechanisms to enforce ethical standards for Supreme Court justices.

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[–] [email protected] 157 points 3 days ago (2 children)

The rule of law is dead in America.

Shoplift food for your family or smoke an herb that comes from the ground, and you go to jail. Take bribes and destroy the country for your own greed and selfishness, and they praise you and make you immune to all consequences.

[–] [email protected] 64 points 3 days ago (1 children)
[–] FlyingSquid 28 points 3 days ago (1 children)

And even then, they toned down the socialist elements of the original game they stole.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Landlord%27s_Game

[–] [email protected] 5 points 3 days ago

Amazing. I know what my next board game purchase is, if this is still sold that is.

[–] rayyy 9 points 3 days ago (1 children)

SCOTUS loses its power when the people lose respect and confidence in it. We are there now. Their decisions are a farce.

[–] Goodmorningsunshine 11 points 3 days ago (1 children)

But how exactly does that mean it loses its power? Sure it has no public trust, but what does that really mean as far as the power it weilds?

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 days ago

It means nothing, because there's no legal mechanism for the people to remove anyone from the 3 branches.

[–] DandomRude 65 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

I think Thomas, like many other influential people, knows very well that he doesn't have to fear any consequences or even prosecution in this system, which this decision now confirms once again. That was to be expected, because why should anything have changed. I mean, Thomas was already obviously corrupt way back in 2000, when he was already a supereme court justice and, together with his cronies, prevented the recount of the votes in Florida, which meant that Bush became president instead of Gore. Incidentally, his billionaire buddy Harlan Crow was also already involved back then. So he has been doing this for more than 25 years in such a brazen manner and has simply remained true to himself - and only to himself.

[–] [email protected] 75 points 3 days ago (1 children)

The U.S. is such a shithole.

[–] [email protected] 15 points 3 days ago (1 children)

On track to becoming a banana republic, if grownups don’t intervene.

[–] [email protected] 23 points 3 days ago

There are no grownups left. Only revolutionaries.

[–] [email protected] 98 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (2 children)

Why would they?

Infighting weakens the caste. Besides, what are you going to do about it?

[–] [email protected] 43 points 3 days ago (2 children)

I'm gonna make snarky posts about it, that'll show em!

They're reading this, right?

[–] [email protected] 38 points 3 days ago (3 children)

Someone's going to channel Luigi and shoot some of these corrupt justices dead, and I'm not going to be mad about it at all.

[–] frunch 9 points 3 days ago

I'm sure the news outlets will be scratching their heads as they can't seem to find people disappointed or upset about it. Hell, maybe we'll get some fiery op-eds from judicial scholars unironically talking about how supreme court just doesn't pay like it used to, just to balance the equation.

The corruption is so blatant anymore, really makes you wonder when the bottom is gonna fall out or if it already has

[–] PunnyName 10 points 3 days ago

I might start praying again.

[–] Diplomjodler3 1 points 3 days ago

The people tasked with upholding the status quo are.

[–] finitebanjo 2 points 3 days ago

Judges have been a pretty partisan issue for a while now, but I do agree there is jack shit that can be done about it right before another Trump admin and GOP senate.

[–] FlyingSquid 40 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Someone remind me which one of them is Clarence Thomas:

[–] Gold_E_Lox 5 points 3 days ago (1 children)
[–] FlyingSquid 12 points 3 days ago

I couldn't tell you. All SCOTUS justices look alike to me once they put on the uniform.

But it's got to be one of them.

[–] [email protected] 43 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Well will ya look at that. Corruption!

[–] finitebanjo 1 points 3 days ago

Even if they refer them now, the DOJ and AG are about to be under new management soon.

[–] franklin 30 points 3 days ago

Of course that would require them to have ethics as well.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 3 days ago
[–] [email protected] 33 points 3 days ago

The ~~justice~~ just us system.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 3 days ago (1 children)

It's not like Trump's Justice Department would have done anything with it anyway...

[–] ZoopZeZoop 1 points 2 days ago

Probably not, but he'd have an opportunity to replace him with someone at least as bad. So, you never know.

[–] finitebanjo 12 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Can you blame at this point? The new admin is talking about ending the DOJ and putting a Pedophile in as AG.

The old AG sucks ass, too, he basically caused the Trump admin by not persecuting Donny.

[–] I_Has_A_Hat 3 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (1 children)

Gaetz hasn't been considered for AG for months now.

[–] finitebanjo -1 points 3 days ago

I used the same level of scrutiny to vet my statement about the new AG as republicans used to investigate the pet eating claims.

[–] misterdoctor 13 points 3 days ago (2 children)

Of course they won’t. Zero chance he’s the only supreme court justice who did this shit, he’s just the only one stupid enough to get caught. Or the only one evil enough to be so brazen.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 days ago

Pretty sure Alito got caught over similar shit (maybe not as extravagant)

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 days ago

He's also the biggest target!

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 days ago

My thoughts and prayers go out for the these corrupt judges.

[–] werefreeatlast 4 points 3 days ago

Obviously because the laws only apply to us regular people.