News Release, Commissioner Calvert, Precinct 4 — “The Supreme Court’s recent ruling in Snyder v. United States, which essentially permits elected officials to accept bribes the Supreme Court has euphemized as “gratuities” for past official actions without fear of federal prosecution, marks a disturbing nod toward practices akin to those seen in dictatorships. That is why I applaud President Biden in calling for Supreme Court reform include ethics reform, term limits, and recalibrating the size of the Court to regain legitimacy of the institution of the Supreme Court when its legitimacy is at its lowest point in modern times.
Whenever those seeking a dictatorship are looking to gain more control over governmental decisions, it has everything to do with that leader enriching themselves through corruption of contracts and pass-through business fronts that enrich that leader.
In the case of Snyder v. United States, the Supreme Court has been caught with its hand in the cookie jar and is trying to legally create rulings that make long-held public corruption standards devolve to those only seen in the most corrupt nations.
Justice Clarence Thomas had to declare Dallas-based developer Harlan Crow, owner of the company Crow Holdings, had paid luxury vacations for the Supreme Court Justice and even his grandnephew’s private boarding school tuition.
The Supreme Court’s many recent actions have been built upon many other decisions that have eroded the protection of our citizens from despots. Decisions like Citizens United and Snyder v. United States undermine public trust and suggest a leniency towards corruption that cannot be unchecked in a democratic society that wishes not to slide down the road of kleptocracy. That is why I issue a statement in support of Supreme Court Reform because our community and country have suffered enough from public corruption.
Moreover, the ethics controversies surrounding certain justices, including Justice Clarence Thomas, are deeply troubling. Reports, as highlighted by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, have exposed a pattern of undisclosed gifts and financial support from wealthy donors with vested interests in Supreme Court decisions. This “billionaire gifts program” compromises the impartiality of the Court, creating a perception that justice can be influenced by wealth and power.
Such actions not only diminish the credibility of the Supreme Court but also erode public confidence in the rule of law. As public servants, we must uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct. The Court’s failure to regulate itself in this regard makes it imperative for Congress to step in and establish clear ethical guidelines, including transparency in financial disclosures and accountability for conflicts of interest.
President Biden’s Supreme Court reforms are a necessary step to ensure that our judiciary remains an impartial and just institution and I urge Congress to pass the bills authored by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse as part of the effort to save our democracy from fascism. These reforms will restore faith in our Supreme Court and ensure that justice is administered without fear or favor. I urge other elected officials, both locally and nationally, to support these crucial changes to protect our democracy and uphold the rule of law.”
