Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson's recent financial declarations have unveiled an assortment of gifts, expanding the ongoing discourse around Supreme Court justices' extrajudicial gains.
According to Breitbart, Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson's gifts, including nearly $4,000 worth of Beyoncé concert tickets, have reignited scrutiny on judicial transparency.
In 2023, Justice Jackson notably received four tickets to a Beyoncé concert, valued at approximately $3,712. These tickets represent one part of the range of presents disclosed, which also includes artistic contributions to her chambers and substantial book royalties.
Gift disclosures are common among Supreme Court justices. For instance, Justice Brett Kavanaugh reported earning $340,000 in book royalties, while Justice Clarence Thomas declared receiving personalized photo albums from Terry Giroux, who is linked to the Horatio Alger Association.
A broader investigation by Fix The Court, spanning from 2004 to 2023, points out that justices, including the late Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and former Justices David Souter and John Paul Stevens, have had substantial histories of receiving gifts.
In remarks following an investigation by ProPublica into his dealings with a generous donor, Justice Thomas reiterated the personal nature of such gifts, "Harlan and Kathy Crow are among our dearest friends, and we have known them for over twenty-five years. As friends do, we have joined them on some family trips during the more than quarter century we have known them."
Justice Jackson's disclosures also highlighted an event with President Joe Biden commemorating her Senate confirmation on April 8, 2022. Aside from Jackson, the spotlight in this ongoing scrutiny extends to Justice Clarence Thomas, whose dealings, notably with Harlan Crow, total over $4 million in gifts.
Digging into her previous year's disclosure, Jackson reported receiving a $1,200 flower arrangement from Oprah and over $6,500 in designer attire for a magazine feature. Additionally, the recent disclosure lists artistic gifts for her chambers from individuals like Lonnie Holley and Dr. Kathi Earles-Ross, among others.
Jackson’s financial gains are not only from gifts but also from her literary endeavors. She amassed $893,750 from Penguin Random House, an amount likely associated with an advance for her forthcoming memoir.
Justice Samuel Alito, facing heightened scrutiny, has taken a different path by requesting a 90-day extension for his financial disclosure, which leaves several questions unanswered in the context of the broader transparency demands.
Rep. Pramila Jayapal, as recently as June 5, 2024, voiced her concerns at an event at the Supreme Court, pressing for deeper investigations into these disclosures, particularly focusing on Justice Alito.
These revelations come at a time when advocacy groups and the public are intensifying their calls for enhanced transparency and accountability from the highest court’s justices. The influx of gifts and substantial earnings from external activities highlight the potential entanglements that could influence judicial impartiality and integrity.
As scrutiny over Supreme Court justice’s finances continues, the revelations in Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s recent disclosures emphasize the ongoing debate regarding the adequacy of current ethical standards governing the highest court.
