The Urgent Need to Address Corruption in the US Supreme Court | Opinion Opinion by Thom Hartmann

Introduction: An entire branch of government is sinking into an irredeemable Trump-fueled muck of corruption.

The Corruption Within the US Supreme Court: It has become increasingly evident that the US Supreme Court has fallen prey to corruption driven by political influences and unethical practices. The involvement of key Justices and their actions have raised concerns among the public about the integrity of the highest judicial body in the country.

Justice Scalia’s Favorable Ruling for Cheney: Highlighting instances of corruption, the author discusses the case where Justice Antonin Scalia allowed personal interests to influence his judgment. He permitted Dick Cheney, accused of misleading the public about an “energy group” planning Iraq’s oil field seizure, to escape accountability. This raised questions about the impartiality of the court.

The Urgent Need to Address Corruption in the US Supreme Court | Opinion Opinion by Thom Hartmann

Gorsuch’s Conflicts of Interest: The article also draws attention to Justice Neal Gorsuch’s questionable behavior. He addressed the Fund for American Studies, a group linked to a case before the court, and subsequently ruled in favor of the organization’s goals. This pattern of actions casts doubt on the court’s commitment to unbiased decision-making.

Thomas’ Involvement and Clarence Thomas’ Conduct: The author reveals that Clarence Thomas’ wife, Ginny Thomas, was deeply engaged in Trump’s January 6th rally. This disclosure, along with Thomas’ acceptance of significant financial support from groups linked to cases before the court, has raised concerns about the impartiality and ethics of the court’s decisions.

The Supreme Court’s Power and Manipulations: The author points out that the Supreme Court has acquired substantial power, even second-guessing decisions made by Congress and the President. This expansion of authority has led to concerns about the court’s impartiality and potential misuse of power.

The Urgent Need to Address Corruption in the US Supreme Court | Opinion Opinion by Thom Hartmann

The Call for Accountability and Regulation: Given the alarming state of the Supreme Court, the author emphasizes the need for accountability and regulation. He highlights that Article III of the Constitution empowers Congress to create and regulate the federal court system, including the Supreme Court. However, this power has been underutilized, allowing corruption to persist.

Historical Precedents and Efforts to Address Corruption: The article references historical instances where corruption prompted action. In 1922, a scandal involving US District Judge Kenesaw Landis led to the creation of the Judicial Conference of the United States. Similarly, Justice Abe Fortas’ unethical conduct in 1969 prompted the formulation of the Code of Judicial Conduct. However, the Supreme Court has often ignored these efforts.

Supreme Court’s Resistance to Accountability: The article highlights Chief Justice John Roberts’ reluctance to embrace regulation. He omitted Chief Justice Taft’s assertion that ethical standards should apply to the Supreme Court. Despite Roberts’ previous interest in granting Congress power to overturn rulings, he now evades acknowledging Congress’ authority to regulate the court.

The Urgent Need to Address Corruption in the US Supreme Court | Opinion Opinion by Thom Hartmann

Contemporary Proposals and Public Outrage: Recent proposals to address corruption, such as the Supreme Court Ethics Act, have faced resistance from Republicans. The court’s approval rating has plummeted to historic lows due to growing public dissatisfaction with its conduct.

The Urgent Need to Address Corruption in the US Supreme Court | Opinion Opinion by Thom Hartmann

Conclusion: The author concludes that urgent action is needed to combat corruption within the Supreme Court. To maintain the court’s credibility and uphold the principles of justice, Congress must step in and ensure that ethical standards are adhered to, preventing the branch from sinking further into a partisan quagmire.