Stephen Colbert, Seth Meyers, and Bill Maher explain why Ginni Thomas' texts are such 'a massive scandal'
"The Jan. 6 select committee continues to do their work, and today they got some good news" when "a federal judge ruled that the former president 'more likely than not' committed a crime in trying to block the confirmation of [President] Biden's win," Stephen Colbert said on Monday's Late Show. "I believe he sided the legal precedent of No S--t v. Sherlock. The bombshell is part of the ongoing investigation into disgraced lawyer John Eastman," who's been claiming attorney-client privilege to shield records and emails from the Jan. 6 committee, "but that doesn't apply to lawyers who help their clients commit a crime, and in this case, the judge found that 'the illegality of the plan was obvious.'"
"Another person in the Jan. 6 committee crosshairs, interested in talking to, is wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas," Ginni Thomas, a prominent conservative activist and "extreme election fraud truther" who texted Mark Meadows repeatedly after the election, urging him to push to overturn the results, Colbert said. "That is huge. The wife of a sitting Supreme Court justice conspired with the president's chief of staff to throw out the results of a free and fair election — and she never even invented a pillow." He showcased some of her texts.
"'It takes time for the army who is gathering for his back' — that is very Shakespearean for someone named Ginni," Seth Meyers said on Late Night. "And let's not forget the reason this is so shocking is [Donald] Trump was open about his desire to have the Supreme Court help him stay in power." In one case, "Trump sued to block the National Archives from releasing any records related to Jan. 6, and the only justice to side with Trump in that 8-1 ruling was Clarence Thomas," he said. "He sided with Trump in a case to block the release of records that could have potentially implicated his own wife. That is a slap in the face to the Constitution — and even if it was to protect your wife, slapping is never okay. So it's a massive scandal, although I get it — if I was saying crazy s--t like that, my wife would want those texts blocked, too."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Ginni Thomas was also "at the Jan. 6 riot, she participated in what was basically urging on a coup," Bill Maher said on last Friday's Real Time. And her texts urging Meadows to overturn the election are "based on crazy QAnon theories," including texting the president's chief of staff to "Release the Kraken," he noted. "I think she's smoking the kraken."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Cautious optimism surrounds plans for the world's first nuclear fusion power plant
Talking Point Some in the industry feel that the plant will face many challenges
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Explore new worlds this winter at these 6 enlightening museum exhibitions
The Week Recommends Discover the estrados of Spain and the connection between art and chess in various African countries
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
2024: the year of Black country artists
In the Spotlight Beyoncé debuted 'Cowboy Carter' at the top of the country charts, shining a spotlight on artists like Shaboozey
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Honda and Nissan in merger talks
Speed Read The companies are currently Japan's second and third-biggest automakers, respectively
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift wraps up record-shattering Eras tour
Speed Read The pop star finally ended her long-running tour in Vancouver, Canada
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Drake claims illegal boosting, defamation
Speed Read The rapper accused Universal Music of boosting Kendrick Lamar's diss track and said UMG allowed him to be falsely accused of pedophilia
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Wicked' and 'Gladiator II' ignite holiday box office
Speed Read The combination of the two movies revitalized a struggling box office
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Jussie Smollet conviction overturned on appeal
Speed Read The Illinois Supreme Court overturned the actor's conviction on charges of staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Quincy Jones, music icon, is dead at 91
Speed Read The legendary producer is perhaps best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published