Here’s the picture (our source apologizes for the blurriness):
Yes, that’s right: Justice Thomas was wheeling his own luggage. This is deeply, deeply troubling.
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In ancient times, a king was not allowed to walk in public, since “it would be very prejudicial to his dignity and holiness to touch the ground with his feet.” Similarly, it is highly prejudicial to the dignity of the Article III judiciary for a federal judge to wheel his own luggage (or to get his own take-out lunch, or to fetch her own pizza).
In partial defense of Justice Thomas, our tipster points out that he was wheeling “nice Tumi luggage.” Personally speaking, I am a big fan of Tumi luggage (and will remain a fan, as long as they properly handle my repair request made pursuant to warranty). But still, even if the luggage in question were Louis Vuitton, it is unseemly for a member of our nation’s highest court to wheel around his suitcase like a bellhop.
Some online observers — not us — have snarked on Justice Thomas for hiring clerks from “TTT” law schools. Couldn’t he have gotten one such clerk to wheel his luggage? Or to scatter rose petals on the Dulles people mover?
It would certainly count as “employed upon graduation.” And isn’t that what a law clerk is for — to do the heavy lifting for his boss?
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