An alleged private from Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas' wife Ginni to the leader of First Liberty Institute, which describes itself as the nation's largest religious liberty organization, has triggered a wave of criticism from top Democrats, including a new call for the justice to recuse himself from future cases involving that organization. First Liberty frequently petitions the high court and is behind a number of landmark conservative victories, including those protecting the ability of public school teachers to ; helping families obtain state funding to attend ; and, forcing private employers to be more accommodating of . On a late July conference call with supporters, according to a recording obtained by ProPublica, First Liberty CEO Kelly Shackelford is heard reading aloud an email from Ginni Thomas cheering on the group's efforts to oppose a White House push to legislate Supreme Court term limits and an enforceable ethics code, prompted in part by controversy last year over her husband's previously undisclosed financial ties and luxury travel with a GOP billionaire.
"YOU GUYS HAVE FILLED THE SAILS OF MANY JUDGES," apparently wrote to First Liberty head Kelly Shackelford, according to ProPublica. "CAN I JUST TELL YOU, THANK YOU SO, SO, SO MUCH." Critics said the message suggests Clarence and Ginni Thomas are beholden to First Liberty and benefit directly from its advocacy.
"The reported comments by Ginni Thomas are deeply problematic," said Senate Judiciary Commi.