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Wicker scoffs at Justice Thomas’ possible conflicts of interest

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Wicker says leak could harm Supreme Court, but scoffs at Clarence Thomas' possible conflicts of interest

U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, a Republican, believes the leak of the draft U.S. Supreme Court decision revoking a nationwide right to an abortion is “an attack on a key institution” and “threatens (the) independence of the Court.”

But by Wicker's estimation, the alleged conflict of interest created by Supreme Court Justice Clarence ruling on cases involving his wife Ginni Thomas, a conservative activist and election denier, is no big deal and does nothing to hurt the Supreme Court.

“I'm not concerned about Justice Thomas and I disagree that there are apparent conflicts as you assert. His service to date has been beyond reproach,” Wicker said in response to a question from Mississippi Today.

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The senior senator from Mississippi went on to add, “Mrs. Ginni Thomas is a American entitled to her own views. She does not surrender her rights based on who her husband is.”

No one, of course, is questioning Ginni Thomas' right to have a personal or public life of her own. What is at issue is whether Clarence Thomas, as one of the nation's nine most powerful members of the judiciary, should be ruling on issues surrounding his wife's public life.

Earlier this year, Thomas was the only member of the nation's highest court to rule against releasing correspondence from the White House to a commission established by the U.S. House to investigate the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol and efforts to overturn the results of the November 2020 presidential election.

That commission is chaired by U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, who is the lone Democrat in Mississippi's congressional delegation. It is of note than Wicker voted against forming the commission.

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It is hard to fathom that when Thomas ruled on the case, he was not aware of his wife's email correspondence with the White House in which she urged members of President Trump's team to do all they could to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

While Wicker sees no problems with the Thomases, he said if the draft opinion overturning was leaked by a Supreme Court law clerk, that person should be disbarred. If it was a Supreme Court justice who leaked the draft opinion, that justice should be impeached, Wicker said.

“This leak will severely that trust, putting at risk the ability of our nation's highest court to function,” Wicker said in a commentary. “It will also set a disturbing precedent of inciting mob pressure to intimidate the justices before they issue a decision.”

On a conservative show, Wicker said, “I think Democrats and Republicans should have denounced the leak. So far it has only come from our side.”

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Many believe both Republicans and Democrats also should be speaking up in favor of placing guidelines on Supreme Court justices for dealing with conflict of interest issues. There are guidelines for recusal from cases that judges are supposed to follow. But the Supreme Court is not bound by those guidelines.

The Code of Conduct for United States Judges that apparently does not apply to Supreme Court justices says, “A judge must avoid all impropriety and appearance of impropriety. This prohibition applies to both professional and personal conduct. A judge must expect to be the subject of constant public scrutiny and accept freely and willingly restrictions that might be viewed as burdensome by the ordinary citizen.”

Perhaps such a code also should apply to the nine most powerful judges in the nation — those who make up the Supreme Court.

Fix the Court, a nonprofit advocacy group, cites about 60 alleged ethics violations by Supreme Court justices in recent years, Thomas' possible conflicts of interest related to his wife and other justices accepting gifts and travel from groups that might appear before the court.

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“At a time when the Supreme Court has outsized power — over our personal privacy and care decisions, over who can vote and who wins elections, over who can marry and who can unionize, and so much more — it is critical that the branch, including those at its apex, are subject to transparency and accountability rules that measure up to its might,” said Gabe Roth, executive director of Fix the Court.

Legislation is currently being considered by Congress that will address some of those conflict of interest issues facing the Supreme Court and will more transparency.

Whether that legislation will receive support from Republicans like Roger Wicker remains to be seen.

This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

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Mississippi News

Sex offender pulls knife on deputies

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www.wcbi.com – Eric Lampkin – 2024-03-28 10:37:03

SUMMARY: Kenneth Jones, Jr., a convicted sex offender wanted for failing to register, was in Monroe County after a public tip led deputies to him. During a pursuit, Jones pulled a knife on the deputies, resulting in new charges of felony assault on a officer. Sheriff Kevin Crook thanked the public for their cooperation in locating Jones. Now facing multiple charges, failure to register and assaulting a police officer, Jones is in custody. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of public cooperation in enforcement efforts.

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Mississippi News

Powerball jackpot increases to $935 million after no one wins the top prize

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www.wjtv.com – Matthew Knight – 2024-03-28 05:00:55

SUMMARY: The Powerball jackpot is now at $935 million after no winners were drawn. The Mega Millions jackpot was won in New Jersey for $1.13 . The Powerball jackpot has not been won since New Year's Day. The next drawing is for a sole winner who will be paid over 30 years through an annuity. Experts recommend taking the annuity option as it provides more control and protection for the winnings. Taxes will be withheld regardless of the payout option. Financial and legal advice is recommended for jackpot winners. Powerball is played in 45 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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Mississippi News

Warming trend for Easter weekend – Home – WCBI TV

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www.wcbi.com – Isaac Williams – 2024-03-28 04:08:29

SUMMARY: The weather in Columbus, Mississippi will be cold in the mornings but warm up in the afternoons for the Easter . Thursday will be sunny with highs in the 60s, dropping to the 30s at night with patchy frost. Friday will have highs in the 70s, and the weekend will be even warmer with temperatures in the 80s and no rain expected. Next will see warm and humid with the possibility of scattered showers and thunderstorms on Tuesday. It is still unsure if the storms will be severe.

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