Clarence Thomas: In bed with the Tea Party?

It has emerged the Supreme Court Justice's wife is a Tea Partier. Does this matter?

clarence thomas
(Image credit: Creative Commons)

Virginia Thomas, wife of Justice Clarence Thomas, has launched a "Tea Party-linked" lobbying group called Liberty Central — a move which, rightly or wrongly, is casting doubt on the political impartiality of the Supreme Court. On the Liberty Central website, Mrs. Thomas notes her admiration for the both the Tea Party's "citizen patriots" and Rush Limbaugh. Justice Thomas, who was nominated by George H.W. Bush, is already a noted conservative — but could his wife's lobbying activities affect his ability to weigh both sides? (Watch a Fox report about Virginia Thomas' conservative group)

There's no conspiracy here: Why, in a "free country," should "being married to Clarence Thomas" prohibit someone from becoming "involved in politics"? asks Kathryn Jean Lopez at the National Review. Mrs Thomas has not kept people "in the dark" about her political beliefs. On the contrary, she is very open about "Tea Parties and her new effort." Let's move on.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Sign up
Latest Videos FromThe Week