Former Vice President Mike Pence is standing behind Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas as he faces scrutiny over his ties to GOP megadonor Harlan Crow.
Pence took to Twitter on Saturday to express his support for Thomas, who has long been a target of “malicious attacks” from the Left.
“Ever since his nomination to the Supreme Court in 1991 Justice Thomas has been maliciously attacked by the Left, including by then Sen. Joe Biden,” Pence tweeted. “The attacks on his character are continuing today, and it’s appalling to see.”
Pence also urged Americans to join him in defending the “good man and principled jurist.”
“I stand with Justice Clarence Thomas and call on every American to join me in defending this good man and principled jurist,” Pence said. “Our Nation is fortunate to have Justice Thomas serving on the Highest Court of the Land. God bless Justice Clarence Thomas.”
Thomas has been under intense scrutiny since ProPublica reported on his relationship with Crow. The reports claimed the venture capitalist had paid for luxury trips for Thomas, including private jet flights, which Thomas did not disclose.
The Washington Post also reported on Thursday that Leonard Leo, a conservative judicial activist, directed then-GOP pollster Kellyanne Conway to provide Thomas’s wife, Virginia “Ginni” Thomas, with $25,000 in January 2012.
Leo reportedly specified that there should be “no mention of Ginni, of course” in the paperwork for the transaction.
Thomas has long been a target of criticism from the Left, dating back to his confirmation hearings in 1991. The hearings were particularly fraught due to sexual harassment allegations made by Anita Hill, who worked with Thomas at the Department of Education and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
While Thomas has maintained his innocence and denied the allegations, the scrutiny of his character continues today.
Despite the criticism, Pence is standing by Thomas, praising the Supreme Court justice for his “integrity” and his “inspiring personal story.”
“Clarence Thomas is a man of integrity with an inspiring personal story and has upheld the ideals enshrined in our Constitution throughout his life without compromise,” Pence said.
It remains to be seen how the ongoing controversy surrounding Thomas will affect his Supreme Court career. But one thing is certain: Vice President Pence is standing behind the embattled justice, and will continue to do so.
