Picking Up The Pieces Of Our Sweet, Shattered Dreams

Dick Durbin is a ridiculous goober https://t.co/yNz3abbaSy

— Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) May 5, 2023

"I urge my Republican colleagues to work with us in advancing ethics reform measures that will restore public confidence in the Court," says Durbin.

"Congress, and our Committee, has the authority to act. And that’s what the Judiciary Committee will continue to pursue.”

— Jennifer Bendery (@jbendery) May 4, 2023

I guess Sen. Durban should do something more performative; like post really angry tweets? 🤷🏻‍♂️ 

Yes, the Senate Judiciary Committee should pursue massive reforms of the Court. But that’s going to be something of a kabuki dance to the public. And getting any real reform legislation through the current House is pretty much a non-starter. But by all means, let’s have some more performative hissy fit throwing. Why should MTG get all that attention?

People get so wrapped up about disclosure they sometimes lose sight of the fact that a scotus Justice shldnt be on a billionaires payroll regardless.

— Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) May 5, 2023

Memo to Clarence Thomas: https://t.co/vreAZvsOyp

— Barb McQuade (@BarbMcQuade) May 5, 2023

There are serious legal issues here, civil or criminal. That’s for the DOJ to pursue, but that won’t reform the Court. Indeed, one can argue Durban is putting Roberts in a box. The Chief Justice really has no authority over the Court (he can’t punish Thomas or force him to resign), but he wants to argue that his Court has “sovereignty” as a third, wholly co-equal, branch of the federal government. Well, you can’t have total cosmic power and no authority. Roberts’ position is untenable; and it’s likely Durbin knows that. Roberts really doesn’t have any say in this matter. Could it be Durbin is setting it up to make that much clear?

Holy crap people. I’m not sure you have to know this is the legendary brainwashing quote from The Manchurian Candidate to know this tweet might not be totally on the level. Jesus. https://t.co/3skfRqoHz3

— Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) May 5, 2023

Josh can allude to “The Manchurian Candidate,” I can allude to “Aladdin.” (Disney. See what I did there?)

Here we go again. Leonard Leo—Chairman of the Federalist Society—arranged for Clarence Thomas’s wife to be paid at least $80,000 in fees from an org with business in the Court.

He emphasized that the paperwork contain “No mention of Ginni, of course.” https://t.co/TaXziuXGwp

— Sawyer Hackett (@SawyerHackett) May 4, 2023

And he did it through Kellyanne Conway. Another scandal with a cast of thousands. 

PP editors living their best life pic.twitter.com/u6ca2F0QEz

— Samuel Black (@potter_black) May 5, 2023

Most of them friends of the Thomases, who now want us all to know they are kindest, bravest, warmest, most wonderful human beings they’ve ever known in their lives. So, you know, nothing to see here; move along and leave them alone. All of which is just an expression of love and friendship. I’m sure there’s nothing transactional in it at all.

Can Biden give Durbin an ambassadorship or something? Maybe just speak from experience about the consequences of limply declining to hold Clarence Thomas accountable? https://t.co/PCvhUw1kVv

— Brian Beutler (@brianbeutler) May 5, 2023

More and more I like my thesis that Durbin can’t expect any concrete legislative response to the Court scandals in this Congress, but since Roberts asserted his unconstitutional authority, Durbin can put the match in Roberts’ shoe. “You want the responsibility, big boy? You got it.”