Courts

The Effort To Impeach Clarence Thomas

This Democratic challenger is coming for Justice Thomas.

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(Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

In this midterm election cycle it’s pretty standard for Democrats to make the Supreme Court an issue, particularly with the likely confirmation of a conservative stalwart like Brett Kavanaugh hanging over the proceedings. But Barbara L’Italien, a Massachusetts state senator running for Congress, has a decidedly unique take. In what her campaign is calling a first for congressional candidates, L’Italien has made it a plank of her campaign platform to that, if elected, she’ll file an impeachment resolution against Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.

L’Italien is taking this stance as part of her effort to address sexual harassment and assault — she also advocates for an investigation into the sexual misconduct allegations facing Donald Trump. According to a report from Politico, L’Italien says there is “considerable evidence that Thomas lied under oath” during his 1991 confirmation hearing when he responded to allegations he sexually harassed Anita Hill.

“There is an elephant in the room for Congress in the #MeToo era. Our leaders have to start talking about it. Two of the most powerful men in the country have been credibly accused of sexual crimes and gotten away with it,” L’Italien said. “Laws cracking down on sexual assault have to be signed by a president who multiple women say assaulted them. Regulations to stop sexual harassment can be struck down by a Supreme Court justice who lied under oath to counter allegations of sexual harassment. Why would victims think a government like that is looking out for them?”

Massachusetts’ primary is set for September 4th, where L’Italien is facing off against fellow Democrats Jeff Ballinger, Alexandra Chandler, Abhijit Das, Rufus Gifford, Leonard Golder, Dan Koh, Juana Matias, Bopha Malone, and Lori Trahan. L’Italien seems to have a knack for making headlines for herself — she was the Democrat that inadvertently got booked on Fox News, and proceeded to give viewers a piece of her mind about the president’s immigration policies.

headshotKathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, and host of The Jabot podcast. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter (@Kathryn1).

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