The case for Clarence Thomas’ recusal

And spending bill reached by Congress expected to total $1.59 trillion [VIEW IN BROWSER]( MSNBC DAILY Understand today's news [VIEW IN BROWSER]( MSNBC DAILY Understand today's news Monday, Jan. 08, 2024 THE LATEST [Alternate text] [There is nothing remotely justifiable about Clarence Thomas deciding Trump’s fate]( By Hayes Brown In a Supreme Court term packed with pressing cases, the [decision by Colorado’s highest court]( to bar former President Donald Trump from the GOP primary ballot will skip the line, the court [announced Friday afternoon](. But there is no world in which [this momentous case]( can be fairly heard by all nine justices. Justice Clarence Thomas has reportedly committed [numerous ethical lapses]( over his years on the high court. He’s heard cases involving his wife, [Ginni Thomas](, and her political work; he’s [taken lavish gifts]( from a billionaire benefactor with business before the court; he’s neglected to list those gifts on documents meant to provide much needed transparency to the judicial process. But there’s no question that refusing to recuse himself from any decision regarding the Colorado case would be the greatest betrayal of [his oath]( to “faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent” upon him as a justice of the Supreme Court. This is a preview of Hayes Brown's latest article. [Read the full column here.](     TOP STORIES [Alternate text] [SARAH POSNER]( [Trump just promised an authoritarian ‘task force’ to impose Christian ideology]( Trump is priming the Christian right for his authoritarian takeover. [Read more.]( [CLARISSA-JAN LIM]( [Florida’s abortion amendment has enough signatures to make the ballot]( Florida voters take a step toward enshrining abortion rights in the state constitution. [Read more.]( [PAUL WALDMAN]( [How the D.C. Circuit can strike a huge blow against Trump’s delay tactics]( Trump’s election interference trial is on hold. It shouldn’t be. [Read more.]( [ZEESHAN ALEEM]( [What Israel’s plan to ‘encourage’ migration out of Gaza is actually about]( Israel's policy regime and rhetoric suggests that an ethnic cleansing agenda could be underway. [Read more.](     TOP VIDEOS [Alternate text] [INSIDE WITH JEN PSAKI]( [Rep. Raskin: Trump’s taunting Supreme Court judges is a ‘mobster form of justice’]( [WEEKENDS WITH ALEX WITT]( ['Completely on brand': Trump refuses to sign Illinois pledge not to overthrow government]( [YASMIN VOSSOUGHIAN]( [Spending bill reached by Congress expected to total $1.59 trillion]( [POLITICSNATION]( [Chicago mayor slams Texas governor for 'evil-spirited' approach to migrant crisis]( MORE FROM MSNBC [Alternate text]     Next Monday, Rachel Maddow leads analysis of the Iowa Caucuses with Steve Kornacki breaking down results at the Big Board. Special coverage begins next Monday at 7pm Eastern on MSNBC.   A new morning show is coming to MSNBC weekends. Symone Sanders-Townsend, Alicia Menendez and Michael Steele are teaming up to bring their wide range of political expertise to “The Weekend,” every Saturday and Sunday. “The Weekend” premieres Saturday at 8am Eastern on MSNBC.       MSNBC INSIGHTS [Alternate text] Have you ever wanted to provide MSNBC with your opinion about their TV programs, documentaries, and digital products, such as MSNBC.com, newsletters, and podcasts? Now is your chance! [Join the MSNBC Insights Community.](   [Image] [Image] 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10112 [PRIVACY]( | [CONTACT]( | [UNSUBSCRIBE](listvar=sub_daily) [PRIVACY]( | [CONTACT]( | [UNSUBSCRIBE](listvar=sub_daily)