Justice Clarence Thomas explains his use of private jets in 2022 as a response to “increased security risk” following a major leak from the Supreme Court, Business Insider reported.
Thomas discussed this in his recent financial disclosure, stating that his flights “were by private plane for official travel as filer’s security detail recommended noncommercial travel whenever possible.”
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The leak, which involved a draft opinion on the Roe v. Wade case that would later undermine nationwide abortion rights, has put the Supreme Court under the spotlight. The leak led to protests near the homes of conservative justices and resulted in security fences being erected around the court.
The finances of Justice Thomas have been under scrutiny after ProPublica’s report on his ties with wealthy financiers, including GOP megadonor Harlan Crow. This scrutiny has intensified after the revelation of previously undisclosed lavish trips taken by Thomas and his wife.
In response to the scrutiny, Thomas maintains that he did nothing wrong by not reporting his trips with Crow and others previously.
“As relates to the personal hospitality reporting exemption, filer has included all reportable travel on his Calendar Year 2022 Report, in accordance with the new rules that went into effect on March 14, 2023,” he stated in his latest filing.
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