Overview

• Judiciary Committee Democrats are planning to issue subpoenas for conservative donors Harlan Crow, Robin Arkley II, and conservative activist Leonard Leo, over undisclosed luxury gifts and trips to Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito.
• Crow has reportedly provided gifts including luxury travel and real estate transactions to Justice Thomas over two decades. Leo and Arkley allegedly organized and funded a private jet trip for Justice Alito in 2008.
• These actions have provoked calls for a judicial ethics code, which has been publicly endorsed by three of the nine Supreme Court justices.
• Chief Justice John Roberts has faced criticism for not implementing ethics policies in the court. However, regulations that could enforce stronger ethics standards for the court are pending approval in the Senate.
• Reports have spotlighted ethical concerns related to undisclosed gifts, luxury trips, financial benefits, and potential conflicts of interest. Some justices have argued they are outside of congressional authority and have pushed back against formal rules.