Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner is drawing applause on the campaign trail with a bold demand: the impeachment of at least two Supreme Court justices. Platner argues that a “compelling case” exists for removing Clarence Thomas and Sam Alito, citing undisclosed gifts and potential conflicts of interest that undermine the court’s integrity.
“The relationship between Clarence Thomas and Harlan Crow is clearly corrupt, and Justice Thomas doesn’t even recuse himself from cases that impact Crow’s businesses,” Platner said at a recent rally. “These are absolutely reasons for removal.” Platner didn’t specify his case against Alito, but it likely stems from reports by ProPublica detailing lavish travel provided to the justice by wealthy donors with stakes in court rulings.
The call for impeachment comes as the Supreme Court faces mounting scrutiny over ethics. Justice Alito, 76, was recently hospitalized after feeling ill at a Federalist Society dinner, an incident the court initially did not disclose. The Hill reported that this has fueled speculation Alito might step down, which would give President Donald Trump the chance to appoint a fourth justice, adding to the three he confirmed during his first term.
Thomas, 77, is the court’s most senior justice and a leading voice in its conservative majority. He made headlines last week for a speech that began with thanks to his benefactor, Harlan Crow, but failed to address Crow’s collection of Nazi memorabilia or why Thomas didn’t disclose their financial ties until reporters exposed them. Thomas’s legacy is already historic—he’s the second Black justice and likely to become the longest-serving associate justice—but allegations of corruption risk tarnishing it.
The court’s credibility has been eroding for years. In 2000, a 5-4 Republican-appointed majority effectively decided the presidential election for George W. Bush. Since then, five of eight new justices have been nominated by Republican presidents, many with ties to the Federalist Society. The 2010 Citizens United ruling, which opened the door for unlimited dark money in elections, empowered billionaires like the Koch brothers and Crow to spend freely in support of tax cuts and deregulation.
Platner’s push for impeachment echoes a precedent from 1969, when Justice Abe Fortas resigned under threat of impeachment after accepting an undisclosed retainer from a financier under federal investigation. Compared to the allegations against Thomas and Alito, Fortas’s misconduct now seems minor. The current scandals also involve Chief Justice John Roberts, whose wife earned over $10 million in commissions as a headhunter for firms with business before the court, and Justice Neil Gorsuch, who sold property to a law firm CEO shortly after his confirmation.
If Alito steps down, it could erase the chance of an impeachment inquiry and boost Republican turnout in the midterms, distracting from Trump’s low poll numbers. For now, Platner is tapping into broader public anger over a court seen as captive to political and corporate interests. The political baggage on the Supreme Court has never been heavier.
