# Clarence Thomas secretly accepted luxury vacations from GOP donor without disclosing **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [April 6, 2023, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252 "2023-04-06T14:10:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2023, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/221 "2023-05-04T12:27:32Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > You know, every time I hear the name “Harlan Crow” I see a Batman supervillain who has an evil alter ego with a crow theme. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b77776/32.png) [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2023, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/222 "2023-05-04T14:53:25Z")
Today’s news about the private school tuition is shocking. Thomas needs to be threatened with impeachment so that he will resign. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2023, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/223 "2023-05-04T15:00:01Z")
this justice should have resigned at least 2 years ago. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2023, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/224 "2023-05-04T15:03:37Z")
He’ll know that any impeachment threat will be totally empty. There’s no way that enough Republicans would sign on and then give Biden an open seat. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2023, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/225 "2023-05-04T15:10:54Z")
I wonder if the American public has enough energy left for mass daily protests outside the Supreme Court, like what we saw in Israel recently. Roberts would hate that. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2023, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/226 "2023-05-04T15:12:01Z")
It would be pretty uninspiring to protest to try and get something that’s impossible to get. At least the Israeli protests had a goal that was meetable (and met, right?). ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2023, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/227 "2023-05-04T15:13:18Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > It would be pretty uninspiring to protest to try and get something that’s impossible to get. His resignation is not impossible. I’ll grant you, it’s unlikely. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2023, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/228 "2023-05-04T15:15:50Z")
Since the only path to resignation or impeachment is Shame in the Shameless, it’s all but impossible. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2023, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/229 "2023-05-04T15:20:35Z")
Thomas knows he is immune from impeachment. He has zero reason to worry or care. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2023, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/230 "2023-05-04T15:21:00Z")
> [@Mighty\_Mouse](#): > > Since the only path to resignation or impeachment is Shame in the Shameless, it’s all but impossible. I would put successful impeachment in the “impossible” category. Especially while Biden is President. However, I’d say resignation is “unlikely” but not impossible. This is some pretty bad stuff and Roberts is going to want it to go away. Do you really think 100,000 protesters every day outside the Court wouldn’t move the needle? ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2023, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/231 "2023-05-04T15:21:24Z")
Yup, he is openly corrupt and nothing will happen. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2023, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/232 "2023-05-04T15:25:20Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > This is some pretty bad stuff and Roberts is going to want it to go away. Roberts is doing literally nothing to make it go away. Indeed, ALL the justices signed a resolution to do nothing. None of them want oversight. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2023, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/233 "2023-05-04T15:29:23Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Roberts is doing literally nothing to make it go away. Indeed, ALL the justices signed a resolution to do nothing . Well, there are not yet 100,000 daily protesters disrupting traffic around the court. (and sadly, there probably never will be) Roberts seems to care about how the court is perceived. This looks really bad. He knows that. I suspect whatever is happening in private, he will continue to publicly defend Thomas. Roberts can’t force Thomas out, but I’m sure he would if he could. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2023, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/234 "2023-05-04T15:29:46Z")
> [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](#): > > Thomas needs to be threatened with impeachment so that he will resign. You’re a card. “Resign”…that’s a good one. > [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Roberts is doing literally nothing to make it go away. Indeed, ALL the justices signed a resolution to do nothing. None of them want oversight. “As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a Supreme Court justice.” Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2023, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/235 "2023-05-04T15:31:50Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Roberts seems to care about how the court is perceived. I’ve seen this notion tossed about before. I have yet to see Roberts actually do anything in this regard. He seems to opt for the reliable conservative vote every time (except that one vote on Obama Care). ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2023, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/236 "2023-05-04T15:38:43Z")
This justice should never have been confirmed. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2023, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/237 "2023-05-04T15:48:32Z")
Note: Roberts’ wife [pulled in over $10 million in commissions](https://www.businessinsider.com/jane-roberts-chief-justice-wife-10-million-commissions-2023-4) from law firms. ---
**Author:** ![ratatoskK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ratatoskk/32/2987_2.png) [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2023, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/238 "2023-05-04T19:01:48Z")
> **[Justice Thomas’s Friend Defends Failure to Disclose Tuition Payments by...](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/04/us/politics/clarence-thomas-harlan-crow-tuition.html?unlocked_article_code=DTZ4RTwcGn4--sCj0qzUoMpSEe693nmgMN0bvCgVxfChZsiM1FXFVDDs-FNTXZkV-zTyTQ1rJjA6qeErwqMj_ZOS9gOmTHKsRJDiC1bR-RRk5Z_-xmKc0wDkJtgoKpKtDL2_KzLZs-B-nmu91BuETtuUL8pxlAKIyRYBW-DMO5Ev4wI3-ZaUT-rifRrplCNHo6QFcnm0jFYdBgt67NczD-6-lrMzYaylCO3DF2PLRV8LMUeBJGTzu7C8d1ikod6c4yBxppNPkrO30wB1S2YHJTrlJnqSon91W1ljAKdyiKYwkGTt71dTtT0TKeueT2fYOiovwv1qJHZgOfF18lqA5skdZfBTr7UtqOX9bNzG3aY&smid=url-share)** > > The revelation by ProPublica on Thursday added to the lavish gifts and travel from the Texas billionaire that Justice Clarence Thomas has not disclosed. > A Republican donor from Texas paid for two years of private-school tuition for Justice Clarence Thomas’s great-nephew, a gift that the justice did not disclose, a friend of the justice [acknowledged in a statement on Thursday](https://twitter.com/MarkPaoletta/status/1654086444594483200). > > But ethics law experts (…) said Mr. Crow’s gift was to Justice Thomas himself, not the great-nephew, so it was clearly reportable. As the legal guardian of the child, Justice Thomas had assumed responsibility for his education, enrolled him in private school and otherwise would have had to pay tuition. > > “I believe Justice Thomas had legal custody, and they have not disputed that,” Mr. Painter said. “It was his prerogative to send the child to private school, but he had to pay for it. That was his debt, like a utility bill or food.” ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b77776/32.png) [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2023, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/239 "2023-05-04T21:35:04Z")
> [@Mighty\_Mouse](#): > > Since the only path to resignation or impeachment is Shame in the Shameless, it’s all but impossible. I am so sorry you have given up. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2023, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252/240 "2023-05-04T21:37:25Z")
I guess time will be the judge. Let’s see if he resigns or not. My money is on “or not”. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clarence-thomas-secretly-accepted-luxury-vacations-from-gop-donor-without-disclosing/982252.md?page=13)