Democratic Senators Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island and Ron Wyden of Oregon have called for a criminal investigation into Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas regarding allegations of receiving gifts of travel, a loan for a recreational vehicle, and other benefits from wealthy individuals.

They have formally requested Attorney General Merrick Garland to appoint a special counsel to investigate potential violations of ethics, false statement, and tax laws by Justice Thomas.

This move represents a significant escalation in Democratic efforts to address ethical concerns surrounding Thomas and the Supreme Court in recent years.

Senator Whitehouse, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, noted that this request may be the first of its kind involving a Supreme Court justice, The Bulletin has reported.

Senator Wyden, who chairs the Senate Finance Committee, joins in this call for further scrutiny.

Written by B.C. Begley