Former Republican congressman Denver Riggleman recently shocked many by accusing U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas of unethical behavior and calling for his removal from the bench. Riggleman also claimed that Thomas’ wife, Ginni Thomas, is “disturbed.” He shared these bold accusations on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), saying, “Come at me. I got receipts.” His words caught a lot of attention, especially because Riggleman used to be part of the same political party as Thomas.
Clarence Thomas is, at the least, unethical. Should be removed from the bench.
His wife, Ginni Thomas, is disturbed.
Come at me. I got receipts. https://t.co/NMLFzcZlSL
— Denver Riggleman – Coalition of the Sane (@RepRiggleman) September 24, 2024
Riggleman was involved in the January 6th committee, which investigated the violent attack on the U.S. Capitol by supporters of former President Donald Trump. In his role, Riggleman helped collect and review data, including communications from Ginni Thomas. It was found that Ginni Thomas had been texting Mark Meadows, who was then President Trump’s chief of staff, urging him to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. These text messages showed her deep involvement in trying to keep Trump in power, even after he lost the election.
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In one of the messages sent to Meadows on November 10, 2020, Ginni Thomas wrote, “Help this Great President stand firm, Mark!!! … You are the leader, with him, who is standing for America’s constitutional governance at the precipice.” This message was sent just a few days after the election was called in favor of Joe Biden. Her texts promoted the false belief that Biden and the Democrats had stolen the election. This is a dangerous claim that many Trump supporters still believe, despite no real evidence backing it.
Justice Clarence Thomas has faced many controversies in recent years. One major issue is his connection to billionaire Republican donor Harlan Crow. Crow has paid for Thomas to go on luxury trips, bought a house where Thomas’ mother still lives, and even paid for private school tuition for a child Thomas raised. Thomas never reported these gifts, which raises questions about his ethics as a Supreme Court justice. People expect judges, especially those on the Supreme Court, to remain unbiased and independent, but Thomas’ close ties to Crow make many wonder if he is truly fair in his rulings.
Progressive congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has called for Thomas to be impeached, meaning she wants him removed from the Supreme Court. She argues that his behavior, along with his wife’s involvement in trying to overturn the election, shows that he is not fit to serve.
Former President Donald Trump has also been a big part of this controversy. Trump has defended Clarence Thomas and said that people should go to jail for speaking badly about judges like him. Trump’s influence over the Supreme Court is clear. During his time in office, he appointed three justices, ensuring a strong conservative majority on the court. These justices have played key roles in making major decisions on issues like abortion and gun rights.
Trump’s words only make the situation more intense. By defending Thomas and attacking anyone who questions him, Trump is continuing to divide the country and protect his allies. Denver Riggleman’s accusations are surprising because, as a Republican, it’s not common to see someone from his own party call out a big name like Thomas.
Featured image via Screengrab
