According to a report by The Independent, Ginni Thomas, wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, has privately expressed support for a religious rights organization working against Supreme Court reforms.
The reforms in question were prompted by what many perceive as ethical violations by her husband. The report reveals that Thomas emailed Kelly Shackelford, who runs the First Liberty Institute, a legal organization dedicated to defending religious liberty.
In the email, Thomas praised the group's efforts in opposing suggestions for court reform, stating that they have "filled the sails of many judges."
The First Liberty Institute describes itself as the largest legal organization in the nation exclusively focused on defending religious liberty for all Americans. According to the report, the group has been actively working against proposed Supreme Court reforms.
During a private call with the group's donors on July 31, Shackelford read aloud Thomas's email, which was written in all capital letters. The email expressed gratitude for the group's work in opposing reform efforts.
Shackelford interpreted Thomas's support as evidence that judges who are unable to engage in the "political sphere" appreciated the group's efforts to thwart Supreme Court reform. These proposed reforms include measures such as term limits and a code of ethics for justices.
The report indicates that a First Liberty employee in Washington, D.C. had recently met with Ginni Thomas. It was following this meeting that Thomas sent the supportive email to the organization.
In her email, Thomas wrote:
I cannot adequately express enough appreciation for you guys pulling into reacting to the Biden effort on the Supreme Court. Many were so depressed at the lack of response by R's and conservatives.
This is not the first time Ginni Thomas has been involved in controversy related to the Supreme Court. She has previously been in the headlines for sending numerous texts after the 2020 election, pushing former President Donald Trump's unfounded allegations of fraud.
The private call on July 31 took place shortly after President Joe Biden announced plans for several changes to the nation's highest court. These proposed changes included term limits, an amendment to reverse the court's recent decision on presidential immunity, and a binding ethics code for the justices.
During the call, Shackelford characterized these proposals as part of a push to "destroy the court." He claimed that these attempts were led by progressives and those on the "extreme left" who were "upset" at the outcome of "a few cases."
The efforts to impose an ethics code on the court gained momentum following revelations that wealthy GOP donors had provided Justice Clarence Thomas and Justice Samuel Alito with undisclosed gifts and travel experiences. In response to these reports, Thomas updated his disclosure reports, and the court adopted its first-ever ethics code.
Ginni Thomas's support for a group opposing Supreme Court reform has raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest. The First Liberty Institute's stance against proposed changes, including term limits and ethics codes, has been bolstered by Thomas's endorsement. This situation highlights the ongoing debate surrounding Supreme Court reform and the ethical considerations facing the nation's highest court.
