Special counsel investigates Clarence Thomas in 2024?

The question of whether a special counsel investigation into Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas will be announced by the DOJ in 2024 stems from multiple ethics controversies and financial dealings that have come to light through investigative reporting. Key issues include undisclosed luxury gifts from wealthy donors, loan forgiveness, and questions about financial disclosures. Recent reporting has revealed increasingly concerning details about Thomas's financial arrangements, including a $267,000 RV loan that may have been forgiven without proper disclosure, extensive gifted travel and accommodations from wealthy benefactors, and other potential ethics violations. However, while these issues have prompted Senate investigations and public scrutiny, there are no clear indicators that the Department of Justice is moving toward announcing a special counsel investigation in the remaining month of 2024.

Current Situation

Background on Ethics Allegations

• Multiple ProPublica investigations have revealed undisclosed gifts and benefits received by Justice Thomas
• Senate Finance Committee investigating $267,000 RV loan forgiveness
• Pattern of undisclosed luxury travel and accommodations from wealthy donors
• Questions about tax implications of forgiven debts
• Hiring of controversial law clerk with history of racist messages

Analysis of Potential Outcomes

Yes - Special Counsel Investigation Announced (1%)

• Would require:
  • New damaging revelations beyond current known issues
  • Strong political pressure on DOJ to act
  • Clear evidence of criminal conduct rather than just ethics violations
• Challenges:
  • Limited time remaining in 2024
  • High bar for investigating Supreme Court Justice
  • Primarily ethics rather than criminal issues thus far

No - No Investigation Announced (99%)

• Supporting factors:
  • DOJ has not signaled any investigation plans
  • Most issues fall under ethics rather than criminal jurisdiction
  • Limited precedent for investigating sitting Supreme Court Justices
  • Political sensitivity of such an investigation
  • Only one month remaining in 2024

Key Factors to Watch

1. New Revelations

• Additional investigative reporting findings
• Senate Finance Committee investigation results
• Potential whistleblowers or new documentation

2. Political Pressure

• Democratic lawmakers' calls for investigation
• Public opinion and media coverage
• DOJ statements or signals

3. Legal Developments

• Any criminal referrals from Congressional investigations
• New evidence of potential criminal conduct
• Court decisions related to Thomas ethics issues