So how the hell did Thomas get away with....

[Kingofalldems]

not recusing himself? Did any SCers even say something to him?

This is blatant corruption.

[viva la]

1. I read that SCOTUS more or less has an "honor system"

Justices have to choose to recuse themselves if there's a conflict.
Of course, an honor system only works with people of honor, and we know that's not Thomas.

[FoxNewsSucks]

23. Or any of the other republicon scumbags.

[drray23]

2. it's up to a Supreme Court Justice to recuse themselves

they can't be made to do so even by the chief justice.

[Kingofalldems]

3. I realize that but he could have at least said something.

[Ocelot II]

4. The Supreme Court doesn't have rules of conduct that require recusal,

even though the lower federal courts do. Other justices, even conservative ones, have recused themselves voluntarily to avoid the appearance of impropriety (or actual impropriety) - even Rehnquist, who was one of the court's worst, most biased justices, recused himself from the Nixon tapes case because he'd worked in Nixon's White House in the OLC. But Thomas hasn't done it won't do it even though his wife is right in the middle of the 1/6 plot.

[Poiuyt]

18. I don't think anyone would have imagined that there'd be so much corruption in the SC

Or in the other branches of government, really.

[Joinfortmill]

5. We're full of loop holes in this country.

[DURHAM D]

6. When someone is a known serial sexual harasser and is put on the

bench anyway he knows he can get by with anything.

[madaboutharry]

7. The other Justices most likely didn't know about the text messages.

Also, we don’t know what conversations may have taken place concerning Ginni Thomas’ activities.

Regardless, this scandal certainly further sullies the court. The Supreme Court is now officially a corrupt cesspool.

[Kingofalldems]

10. He's a man with absolutely no honor.

[madaboutharry]

14. I know.

We knew that when he angrily called his confirmation hearing “A high tech lynching” and instead of owning his shame for his own behavior, chose to shame others for trying to hold him accountable.

And Ginni Thomas is a horrible person all on her own.

[Kablooie]

8. Corruption by a conservative is considered good and admirable.

The more you can get away with, the greater you are respected.

Only corruption by Democrats is considered wrong.
For Republicans it is a badge of honor.

[Skittles]

12. CORRECT

repukes are treated like white men, Dems are treated like woman and POC

higher standard are SOP for Democrats

[TomSlick]

9. Thomas has pointed out a real problem.

There is no code of ethics binding on the Supreme Court. The decision whether to recuse is strictly left with the individual justice. This has never been a problem because justices were honorable people. This is yet another example of what happens when the country relies on norms and not laws.

The problem is that only the Court can impose a set of judicial rules on itself, which seems unlikely. The Supreme Court is established by the Constitution, while the other federal courts are established by Congress. As a result, while Congress can impose ethics rules on the lower federal courts, it cannot impose rules on the Supreme Court.

[crickets]

15. 👆👆 Agreed.

Norms and the honor system are not always enough. Some of the children on the bench really do need rules to keep them coloring inside the lines, but the Supreme Court (Roberts in particular) doesn't want them.

https://thehill.com/regulation/administration/587848-roberts-calls-for-judicial-independence-in-year-end-report

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts called for judicial independence in his annual year-end report on the federal judiciary, saying it is crucial to maintaining public trust in the courts.

"The Judiciary’s power to manage its internal affairs insulates courts from inappropriate political influence and is crucial to preserving public trust in its work as a separate and coequal branch of government," Roberts wrote in his 2021 year-end report on the federal judiciary, which was released on Friday.

What public trust? It's pretty well trashed these days, and Roberts' argument is a load of hogwash. "Independence" does not mean there is no need for codified norms, which (as you point out) the Court could impose upon itself. Voluntarily imposing ethics rules upon themselves might do some good in reestablishing trust with the public. This would have nothing to do with politics and everything to do with ethics, but Roberts chooses to ignore that.

[TomSlick]

17. Roberts has to decide whether going along with his right flank

is more important than the Court's credibility.

My bet is he does nothing.

[crickets]

19. Yep. Doing nothing and hoping things blow over is his MO. No spine at all. nt

[Volaris]

21. Well, Robert's can believe that all he wants, but unless he's willing

to set up an internal process, his belief is mostly nonsense.

There should be a SC legal Ave for someone to file a recusal request, present their evidence to the other members NOT in question, and then let them decide by majority vote, minus the Chief.

[Mz Pip]

24. Norms and honor systems

are only for people who respect norms and honor systems. Thomas cares only about his power and screwing liberals.

Roberts really has no power over Thomas so having a nice chat with him would be useless. Thomas would laugh in his face.

[Evergreen Emerald]

11. I will say this again

I know I am considered a conspiracy theorist with a tinfoil hat....but here goes:

There is an all encompassing plan to destroy our democracy. They are permeating every level of our government from the clerks who refuse to give marriage licenses, to the election officials who attempt to overturn our elections, to governors who refuse to protect their citizens, to the Supreme Court, to the Congresses (state and federal) and even to the Presidency.
And, to the fourth branch of government...the media who is designed to protect our democracy.

We are not fighting enough.

[Kingofalldems]

13. Does anyone know if he is Opus Dei?

[Ocelot II]

20. I have read that he is, and also Alito and (formerly) Scalia.

Their membership isn't publicized but that's the rumor.

[blueinredohio]

16. Roberts needs to talk him into retiring

[Meowmee]

22. I am still trying to figure out

How he was nominated and confirmed. The sc has been a joke since they anointed w.