Utah’s two Republicans in the U.S. Senate have decidedly different reactions to the widening ethics scandal swirling around Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas for failing to disclose lavish gifts, expensive vacations and financial dealings with a Texas billionaire.
Thomas has traveled on GOP donor Harlan Crow’s private plane and megayacht for years without reporting those gifts as law requires. Additionally, in 2014 Crow purchased Thomas’ childhood home in Georgia, where he allows Thomas’ mother to live rent-free. Supreme Court Justices are required to report nearly all real estate transactions worth more than $1,000, which Thomas did not do. Thomas has said he will amend his financial disclosure forms to reflect the sale.
On Monday evening, Sen. Mitt Romney told reporters he was dismayed by the growing ethical questions surrounding Thomas.
“If the reports are accurate, it stinks,” Romney told reporters on Monday night. “I don’t have to explain more than that.”
On the other hand, Sen. Mike Lee has loudly defended Thomas from criticism, calling the Justice a “hero” and saying he has done nothing wrong.
Lee is now attempting to fundraise off the Thomas scandal. Last week, Lee sent a fundraising email titled “Stand with Clarence Thomas.”
“The hypocritical woke Left is at it once again with their latest smear attacks against Justice Clarence Thomas,” the email reads.
The email accuses Thomas’ critics of targeting him because he stands in the way of “advancing their radical agenda” before making his fundraising pitch about protecting the Supreme Court.
“The need to retake the Senate majority and protect the Court from being manipulated, warped, and taken over by radical leftists is greater than ever,” the message says. The email then directs recipients to a landing page where they can show their support for Thomas by providing their cellphone number and email to the Lee campaign. After signing up, users are asked to donate to Lee’s campaign.
Both Lee and Romney have taken campaign donations from Crow. The Texan gave Lee $16,800 for his 2016 and 2022 reelection bids. He kicked in $5,400 to Romney’s 2018 Senate campaign. For his 2012 presidential run, Crow donated $5,000 directly to Romney’s campaign and gave $2.3 million to super PACs that supported his White House bid.
