The dissent of Supreme Court judge Clarence Thomas in a Pennsylvania Republican Party electoral process led critics to ask that his wife Virginia “Ginni” Thomas be investigated on Monday.
Ginni’s previous comments were brought into the social media spotlight shortly after her husband’s dissent, with many citing a couple of January 6 Facebook posts in support of the “Stop the Steal” rally that sought to reverse the election result in favor of former President Donald Trump. Although spouses of Supreme Court justices generally shy away from politics, Ginni Thomas often expressed his views in public.
The posts were captured by Slate reporter Mark Joseph Stern, before being deleted from the Internet. One featured Thomas commenting “LOVE people, MAGA !!!” while sharing a link to a video stream of the demo before it became violent, while the other saw his comment “GOD BLESS EACH OF YOU STANDING OR PRAYING!” Social media calls to investigate Thomas about baseless allegations that she was connected to the riot quickly followed her husband’s dissent.
On the morning of January 6, Ginni Thomas – wife of Supreme Court judge Clarence Thomas – endorsed the protest by demanding that Congress overturn the election, then sent his “LOVE” to the protesters, who violently took over the Capitol several hours later. She hasn’t posted since. pic.twitter.com/378CHMkFN5
– Mark Joseph Stern (@mjs_DC) January 8, 2021
“I am concerned that #SCOTUS Justice Thomas disagreed – we will have to learn more about the role that his wife Gini Thomas played in raising money for the deadly # Jan6 Trump ‘Day of Uprising'”, Christine Pelosi, Democratic strategist and daughter of President the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Tweeted.
I agree – but I’m concerned that #SCOTUS Judge Thomas disagreed – we will have to learn more about the role his wife Gini Thomas played in raising money for Trump’s death # Jan6 “Insurrection Day”
– Christine Pelosi (@sfpelosi) February 22, 2021
While Ginni Thomas’s January 6 social media posts appear to indicate support for protesters before the riots began, Newsweek found no evidence that she was directly involved in any efforts to raise funds for the demonstration.
“Today, SCOTUS declined to hear an appeal from the PA GOP about the extension of postal voting deadlines,” tweeted Duty to Warn, a group of anti-Trump psychologists. “Clarence Thomas wrote a dissent. His wife Ginni endorsed the 1/6 protest, demanded the election turnaround and sent ‘LOVE’ to the protesters. He didn’t disagree with any of that.”
Today, SCOTUS declined to hear an appeal from the PA GOP about extending voting time by mail. Clarence Thomas wrote a dissent. His wife Ginni endorsed the 1/6 protest, demanded the election turnaround and sent “LOVE” to the protesters. He didn’t disagree with any of that.
– Duty to Warn n (@ duty2warn) February 22, 2021
“It still seems wrong that Clarence Thomas is still at SCOTUS and is part of cases involving sedition and insurrection knowing that his wife Ginni Thomas is connected with those who attacked the United States Capitol,” tweeted singer and songwriter Ricky Davila. “Any of your differences is a confession right now.”
It still seems wrong that Clarence Thomas is still at SCOTUS and is part of cases involving sedition and insurrection for knowing that his wife Ginni Thomas is linked to those who attacked the United States Capitol. Any of your disagreements is a confession at this point.
– Ricky Davila (@TheRickyDavila) February 22, 2021
Judge Thomas was one of three conservative judges who on Monday disagreed with the decision of the majority of the Supreme Court to reject a Republican Party challenge that sought to invalidate the Pennsylvania state court’s decision to extend the postal vote by three days. for the November presidential election.
Although the majority considered the case to be debatable in light of the election result, Thomas’s dissent cited the potential impact the case could have on future elections, although he acknowledged that the case would not have made a difference to the outcome in 2020.
“This decision to rewrite the rules appears to have affected very few ballots to change the outcome of any federal election. But that may not be the case in the future,” wrote Thomas in the dissent. “These cases provide us with an ideal opportunity to address exactly what authority non-legislative officials have to establish electoral rules, and to do so well before the next election cycle. The refusal to do so is inexplicable ”.
Ginni Thomas, who once shared a meme alleging that liberal donor George Soros was involved in a conspiracy to launch a “silent coup” against Trump, allegedly apologized to Judge Thomas’ team for their positions on January 6 after the The situation deteriorated in the riots that resulted in the deaths of five people.
“I owe you an apology. I probably imposed my life’s passions on you,” wrote Thomas to the team in emails obtained by The Washington Post. “My passions and beliefs are probably shared with most of you, but certainly not with everyone. And sometimes the smallest issues can divide loved ones for a long time. We will commit to not letting politics divide THIS family and learn to speak. with more kindness and knowledge across the division. “
Newsweek contacted Judge Thomas for comment.
Chip Somodevilla / Getty