Statement from Congressman Dan Goldman on Justice Clarence Thomas’s Decision to Recuse Himself from January 6 Case

Washington, DC – Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) today issued the following statement following Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas’s decision to recuse himself from ruling in Eastman, John C. v. Thompson, Bennie G., et al., related to Eastman’s appeal of the decision to allow his election-related emails to be turned over to the January 6 Committee. Congressman Goldman last week called for Justice Thomas to recuse himself from the upcoming Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo case following ProPublica’s investigative reporting that revealed Justice Thomas’s years-long personal relationship with the Koch network, which has funded the plaintiffs in this case.

“I am encouraged that Justice Clarence Thomas now recognizes that his personal proximity to the events of January 6, 2021 — presumably due to his wife’s role in the efforts to overturn the election — demands his recusal from all January 6-related cases.

“The Supreme Court will soon face another stress test when it hears arguments in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo. Justice Thomas’s recently reported years-long personal relationship with the Koch network, including his attendance by private jet at Koch network donor gatherings, demands his recusal from this case, which is brought by plaintiffs funded by the Koch network. This is a textbook conflict of interest for which the Judicial Code that applies to all other judges — but not Supreme Court justices — requires recusal.  

“I hope that Justice Thomas’s recusal from the Eastman ruling is a sign that he recognizes that the integrity of the High Court is at stake and that it is critically important for the Court’s institutional credibility that he recuse himself from Loper.”

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