Dahlia Lithwick: Why the Jan. 6 Committee Let Ginni and Clarence Thomas Off the Hook

[Nevilledog]

https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2022/12/january-6-report-summary-clarence-thomas-ginni-ethics.html

In thinking about the vast ethical sucking noise that’s consumed virtually all of the federal government, it’s easy to feel hopeless as 2022 grinds to an end. Donald Trump’s taxes, years ahead dedicated to Benghazi-style hearings, Supreme Court justices partying with election deniers—Bah, humbug, rinse, repeat.

That’s why the criminal referrals lobbed at Trump this week from the Jan. 6 committee are heartening and tangible. The committee’s decision to state that Trump and his most lawless supporters have committed actual crimes laid down a powerful historical marker and put important pressure on the Justice Department for future accountability.

And yet, there is something that feels entirely unsatisfying about celebrating this as a landmark win. Two years after we watched the crime happen in plain sight, and the criminals fêted and enriched, we now see criminal charges humbly suggested, for a handful of people?

It’s OK to be frustrated at the limits of the executive summary of the committee’s final report. The report itself remains forthcoming. But just for starters, Monday’s release failed to take seriously the spectacular failures of law enforcement and intelligence agencies; the limited efficacy of ethics referrals for GOP House members who failed to comply with subpoenas; and the culpability of so very many Republicans who have aided and abetted Trump’s big lie for two straight years.

*snip*

[SheltieLover]

1. SC Smith has got this!

[bucolic_frolic]

2. Too big to fail or bail

Exposing this corruption would really cause the public to permanently recognize the cynicism, power, greed. Can't have that.

[Fiendish Thingy]

3. I'll reserve judgement until the full report is released and analyzed

If the Thomases’ role is ignored or glossed over, then it will be up to Smith to subpoena them (Clarence too) and get them on the record, even if it is taking the fifth, not just in front of the Grand Jury, but in court at the trials of their co-conspirators.

[dem4decades]

4. Then fuck them, I want the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

And Ginni and Clarence are despicable human beings, they deserve no special favors.

[Hortensis]

5. :) I don't feel hopeless at all. Our institutions have held and are

being strengthened. Biggest strengthening of all in our electorate: not where WE need to be yet, but we survived the millions of voters who believed the deceits of leaders who betrayed their trust, and we're getting wiser every year as this plays out.

We know the MAGAs intend another attempt at a coup d'etat, with tRump or a replacement. So that giant omnibus bill both parties in congress just passed? It includes, against MAGA opposition of course, the bipartisan Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement bill to plug the most important holes in democracy's dike that tRump et al used in the first attempt. The omnibus has gone to the house and could be on Biden's desk this week.

As for the Thomases, they're not off the hook.

[Joinfortmill]

6. The crimes were so vast, they focused on the top.