Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson recently disclosed some interesting gifts she received in her financial report for 2023. Among these gifts were 4 tickets to Beyoncé’s “Renaissance” tour, which she valued at $3,711.84. Additionally, she received $10,000 worth of artwork from Lonnie Holley and $2,500 in artwork from Dr. Kathi Earles-Ross and HU Scholars. These gifts were intended to decorate her Chambers and private office, respectively. It’s interesting to note that Justice Jackson is also a member of the BeyHive, showcasing her appreciation for Queen Bey.
On the other hand, Justice Clarence Thomas has faced scrutiny for reportedly receiving over 100 gifts valued at more than $2.4 million between 2004 and 2023. However, in his 2023 financial disclosure report, he only accepted one gift last year, which was 2 photo albums worth $2,000 from Terence and Barbara Giroux. Thomas also disclosed two trips he took with Republican megadonor Harlan Crow in 2019, after previously stating that he wasn’t aware he had to report such luxury vacations. This raises questions about the transparency of gift disclosures among Supreme Court Justices.
Notably, Justices John G. Roberts, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, Neil M. Gorsuch, Brett M. Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett did not disclose any gifts in their reports for 2023. However, some of them listed book royalties as income, which was expected. Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr.’s report was missing, as he had requested an extension. Overall, the gift disclosures of Supreme Court Justices vary, with some facing scrutiny for the value and frequency of gifts received.
The recent gift disclosures of Supreme Court Justices shed light on the transparency and accountability of the highest court in the land. While some Justices have been open about the gifts they received, others have faced criticism for the value and frequency of these gifts. Moving forward, it will be important for Justices to uphold the integrity of the court by disclosing all gifts and maintaining transparency with the public. The issue of gift disclosures among Supreme Court Justices is an important aspect of ensuring trust and accountability within the judicial system.
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