The Facts
On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) refused to take an appeal by John Eastman, a former Trump lawyer, in a case related to Eastman's emails that were turned over to the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol riots. Justice Clarence Thomas recused himself from the decision over the appeal.
Thomas did not offer details as to why he recused himself. This is the first time he has stepped aside in a case related to the events of Jan. 6, 2021.
The Spin
Democratic narrative
While it's long overdue that Justice Thomas has finally recused himself from a case related to Jan. 6, the fact that he even has to is worrying in itself. From suspicious undisclosed financial dealings with a billionaire to the shady legal scheming of his wife, Thomas has been embroiled in far too much controversy. He needs to continue to recuse himself from cases related to former President Trump's election in the future and keep his hands clean.
Republican narrative
Justice Thomas and his wife Virginia keep their work and political beliefs separate, and he should not be vilified and punished for things his wife had every right to do. It's ridiculous to expect him to recuse himself from every case related to the 2020 election. Justice Thomas is an inspiring and upstanding member of the Supreme Court and he will continue to do what he does best with his decades-long record of judicial consistency.
