Chief Justice Roberts asked to testify in Senate on Supreme Court ethics amid Thomas controversy

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin, D-Ill., on Thursday asked Chief Justice John Roberts testify on May 2 about ethics rules that govern the Supreme Court, as controversy continues to swirl around Justice Clarence Thomas' trips he took with a GOP mega-donor.

"I invite you, or another Justice whom you designate, to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee on May 2, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. in room 216 of the Hart Senate Office Building to testify at a public hearing regarding the ethical rules that govern the Justices of the Supreme Court and potential reforms to those rules," Durbin said in a letter to Roberts on Thursday.

"In extending this invitation, I offer that the scope of your testimony can be limited to these subjects, and that you would not be expected to answer questions from Senators regarding any other matters," Durbin said.

AOC DOUBLES DOWN ON ‘IGNORING’ ABORTION RULE, CLARENCE THOMAS IMPEACHMENT: ‘ABUSE OF JUDICIAL OVERREACH’

Durbin asked Roberts this month to open an investigation into Thomas over what Democrats say is his "misconduct" that was detailed in a ProPublica report.

The liberal news outlet's report accused Thomas of improperly receiving lavish vacations from Republican mega donor Harlan Crow, which reportedly included taking trips across the world on Crow's yacht and private jet without disclosing them.

Expert have dismissed the ProPublica report as political hit piece and explained that justices are permitted to accept invites to properties of friends for dinner or vacations without paying for it or disclosing it.

Thomas released a rare statement following the report saying that he has consistently followed ethics guidelines.

DEMOCRATS PRESS SUPREME COURT CHIEF JUSTICE TO INVESTIGATE CLARENCE THOMAS' TRIPS WITH GOP MEGADONOR

"Harlan and Kathy Crow are among our dearest friends, and we have been friends for over twenty-five years," Thomas said.

"As friends do, we have joined them on a number of family trips during the more than quarter century we have known them. Early in my tenure at the Court, I sought guidance from my colleagues and others in the judiciary, and was advised that this sort of personal hospitality from close personal friends, who did not have business before the Court, was not reportable," Thomas said.

"I have endeavored to follow that counsel throughout my tenure, and have always sought to comply with the disclosure guidelines," he said. "These guidelines are now being changed, as the committee of the Judicial Conference responsible for financial disclosure for the entire federal judiciary just this past month announced new guidance. And, it is, of course, my intent to follow this guidance in the future."

REPORT ON CLARENCE THOMAS' TRAVEL HABITS IS 'POLITICS PLAIN AND SIMPLE': EXPERT

Durbin told Roberts Thursday that "there has been a steady stream of revelations regarding Justices falling short of the ethical standards expected of other federal judges and, indeed, of public servants generally."

"These problems were already apparent back in 2011, and the Court’s decade-long failure to address them has contributed to a crisis of public confidence. The status quo is no longer tenable," Durbin said.

Durbin added that "there is ample precedent for sitting Justices of the Supreme Court to testify before Congress, including regarding ethics. Durbin says the Judiciary Committee most recently heard testimony from sitting Justices in October 2011, and that hearing "included robust exchanges about the Court’s approach to ethics matters."

Fox News Digital's Brandon Gillespie contributed to this report.

Mayorkas comes face to face with family of grandmother, 7-year-old girl killed by human smuggler near border

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas apologized Wednesday to the family of two victims who died in a traffic accident caused by a human smuggler fleeing arrest at the border.

Mayorkas — testifying before the House Homeland Security Committee — was asked to apologize to the family of Maria Tambunga and Emilia Tambunga, who were killed last month.

"They're sitting right behind you. They came here today because they want answers. They came here today because of the failures of you and your leadership. They came here because they want closure," said Republican Rep. August Pfluger of Texas.

SEN. MARSHALL INTRODUCES RESOLUTION FOR VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE IN MAYORKAS AMID SENATE GRILLING

Mayorkas did stand and express condolences to the Tambunga family present — although he also accused Pfluger of politicizing the tragedy.

Speaking directly to the family without a microphone, Mayorkas could be heard at one point telling the group, "My heart breaks for your loss."

The Texas Department of Public Safety said Rassian Comer, 22, of Louisiana, ran a red light during a high-speed chase on eastbound I-10 in Ozona and crashed into Maria Tambunga's car. 

BORDER PATROL CHIEF SAYS DHS DOESN'T HAVE OPERATIONAL CONTROL OF US BORDER

Two of the 11 illegal migrants being smuggled in Comer's 2021 Dodge pickup truck were also killed in the crash, Texas DPS said. Both were from Mexico. 

"Mr. Mayorkas, are you going to tell the Tambunga family that the border is secure today?" Pfluger asked.

"Congressman, you are politicizing a tragedy," Mayorkas responded.

Mayorkas has become a lightning rod for Republican criticism over the border crisis, and scrutiny has increased ahead of the looming end of Title 42 expulsions at the beginning of May. 

BIDEN ADMIN SEES PROGRESS IN TACKLING BORDER CRISIS AS MARCH'S NUMBERS DOWN FROM LAST YEAR

"Mr. Mayorkas, do you disagree with the head Border Patrol agent when he said that our border is not secure?" Pfluger pressed.

"Congressman, I have testified to that issue," Mayorkas began.

"So you do disagree with him. You disagree with your chief of Border Patrol?" the congressman asked again.

"I respectfully do in that regard," the secretary replied.

While the administration has been touting relatively lower numbers in recent months — which it ties to border measures introduced in January that included increased expulsions of a humanitarian parole program for four nationalities — officials fear a massive increase in apprehensions once Title 42 drops.

The Biden administration has dismissed the push by Republicans in the House to impeach Mayorkas, saying that Congress should instead focus on fixing what it says is a broken immigration system. 

A spokesperson on Tuesday renewed those calls in response to a resolution by Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., to trigger a vote of no confidence in Mayorkas.

Fox News' Bradford Betz and Adam Shaw contributed to this report.

AOC’s campaign obscured thousands of dollars in expenditures, FEC complaint claims

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's campaign obscured thousands of dollars in expenditures during the 2022 election cycle, a nonprofit alleged in a recent Federal Election Commission complaint.

According to the complaint filed by attorney Dan Backer on behalf of the Coolidge Reagan Foundation, the New York Democrat failed to disclose where around $9,600 in credit card payments ultimately wound up, the Daily Caller News Foundation first reported.

Campaigns must itemize credit card charges to a vendor exceeding $200 in federal filings, including the vendor's name and address, the disbursement's purpose, the date of the services, and its amounts.

AOC SLAMS ERIC ADAMS FOR INCREASING PAY FOR 'MILITARIZED' POLICE: 'DEFUNDING SAFETY'

"On numerous occasions throughout 2022, Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez's authorized candidate committee, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for Congress ("AOC for Congress"), reported tens of thousands of dollars of disbursements for card payments and card payment reimbursements to Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez herself; American Express; and an entity called ‘Veyond!,’ which appears to have provided virtual reality services and apparently no longer operates under that name," the complaint states.

Backer alleges that in some cases, the 'Squad' member's committee failed to disclose the card payments' purposes. He further says the sum of specific memo items is less than the amount the campaign reported paying the recipient. 

"Although campaigns are permitted to use charge cards (or reimburse candidates for use of their personal charge cards) for otherwise permissible campaign-related expense, their disclosure reports must accurately identify both the recipient of those funds, as well as each of the campaign-related goods and services those charge cards were used to purchase," the complaint says.

AOC DOUBLES DOWN ON 'IGNORING' ABORTION RULE, CLARENCE THOMAS IMPEACHMENT: 'ABUSE OF JUDICIAL OVERREACH'

"Not only is the public entitled to that information, but without such disclosure, it is impossible to confirm a candidate is not illegally using campaign funds to pay personal expenses," the complaint continues.

Ocasio-Cortez's campaign, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the complaint, separately found itself in hot water over its failures and delays in paying vendors regarding her glitzy Met Gala appearance in 2021.

The House Ethics Committee opened an investigation into the matter last year. In March, the committee announced they had "substantial reason to believe" that Ocasio-Cortez improperly accepted gifts for the gala, which she attended with her fiancée, Riley Roberts.

"As part of her attendance, Rep. Ocasio-Cortez was provided with a couture dress, handbag, shoes, and jewelry," a House ethics report said. "She also received hair, makeup, transportation, and ready-room services." 

AOC, OTHER POLITICIANS PAID THOUSANDS IN CAMPAIGN CASH TO CHINESE FOREIGN AGENT

"Riley Roberts received a bowtie and shoes in advance of the event," the report said. "While Rep. Ocasio-Cortez appears to have now paid for the rental value of the attire she wore to the Met Gala and for the goods and services she and her partner received in connection with this September 2021 event, payment for these goods and services did not occur until after the OCE contacted her in connection with this review."

The ethics committee unanimously recommended the probe continue. Ocasio-Cortez, meanwhile, pinned the blame for the delayed payments on a campaign staffer. 

Sen. Marshall introduces resolution for vote of no confidence in Mayorkas amid Senate grilling

FIRST ON FOX: Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, on Tuesday announced that he is introducing a resolution to trigger a vote of no confidence in Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas -- just as the DHS chief was facing a grilling from lawmakers at a top committee.

"Mr. Secretary, you are derelict in your duties. I would be derelict to not do something about this. And that's why I have a draft resolution here that I intend to introduce in the coming days that would require the Senate to take a vote of no confidence on Secretary Mayorkas," he said as he questioned Mayorkas in a Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing.

"I stand at the ready to receive articles of impeachment from the House and conduct an impeachment trial in this body. But in the meantime, I think the Senate must show our colleagues in the House that we've had enough of the failures from the Department of Homeland Security and believe that the secretary is not fit to faithfully carry out the duties of his office," he said.

MAYORKAS AGAIN REFUSES TO CALL BORDER SURGE A ‘CRISIS,’ SAYS IT WOULD INDICATE ‘WITHDRAWAL FROM OUR MISSION’ 

The draft resolution, obtained by Fox News Digital, states that Mayorkas "does not have the confidence of the Senate or of the American people to faithfully carry out the duties of his office."

The resolution accuses Mayorkas of having "engaged in a pattern of conduct that is incompatible with his constitutional and statutory duties as Secretary of Homeland Security." 

Specifically, it says that he has failed to take the necessary actions to achieve operational control of the southern border, something the head of Border Patrol has said the agency does not have.

It cites "more than 5,500,000 illegal aliens crossing the United States southern border during Secretary Mayorkas’ term in office, including 20 consecutive months with more than 150,000 illegal border crossings and a 180 percent increase in encounters at the southern border compared to the previous administration"

BORDER PATROL CHIEF SAYS DHS DOESN'T HAVE OPERATIONAL CONTROL OF US BORDER

It also notes the apprehension of nearly 100 individuals on the terror watch list, an increase in fentanyl seizures and "gotaways" at the border, and also cites a number of moves by the administration that it says has encouraged illegal immigration – including the ending of the border wall construction, ending of the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) and attempts to end the Title 42 public health order – which will end next month.

It also notes Mayorkas' role in the controversy surrounding Border Patrol agents who were falsely accused of whipping Haitian migrants in 2021.

Marshall's resolution comes as Republicans in the House have been mulling an impeachment push since last year over what they see as the Biden administration's policies that have exacerbated the migrant crisis. Multiple lawmakers have introduced articles of impeachment, but none have yet been voted on. Should Mayorkas be impeached in the House, the process would then move to the Senate for a trial. Mayorkas could not be removed by the Senate without the House voting first. 

BIDEN ADMIN SEES PROGRESS IN TACKLING BORDER CRISIS AS MARCH'S NUMBERS DOWN FROM LAST YEAR

Mayorkas has become a lightning rod for Republican criticism over the border crisis, and scrutiny has increased ahead of the looming end of Title 42 expulsions at the beginning of May. While the administration has been touting relatively lower numbers in recent months – which it ties to border measures introduced in January that included increased expulsions of a humanitarian parole program for four nationalities – officials fear a massive increase in apprehensions once Title 42 drops.

The Biden administration has dismissed the push by Republicans in the House to impeach Mayorkas, saying that Congress should instead focus on fixing what it says is a broken immigration system. A spokesperson on Tuesday renewed those calls in response to Marshall's resolution.

"Secretary Mayorkas is proud to advance the noble mission of this Department, support its extraordinary workforce, and serve the American people. The Department will continue to enforce our laws and secure our border, protect the nation from terrorism, improve our cybersecurity, all while building a safe, orderly, and humane immigration system. Instead of pointing fingers and pursuing baseless attacks, Congress should work with the Department and pass legislation to fix our broken immigration system, which has not been updated in over 40 years." a spokesperson said on Tuesday.


 

Mother of NYC murder victim shouts down Democrat lawmaker: ‘Don’t insult my intelligence’

The mother of a New York City murder victim shouted down Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., during a House Judiciary Committee field hearing on Monday, warning the lawmaker not to "insult my intelligence."

The mother, Madeline Brame, was one of many witnesses to testify before the committee during Monday's hearing highlighting the crime problem in Manhattan. Goldman attempted to use the time granted to him to question Brame to instead criticize the hearing itself, arguing it was a "coverup" for Republicans attempting to defend former President Donald Trump.

Goldman, who served as impeachment counsel during Trump's first impeachment, sought to explain his view of the situation to Brame after other Democrats had stated that Republicans were using the witnesses as "props" to defend Trump.

"We're not insulting you. Your experiences are devastating, but the problem is, is that this is a charade to cover up for an abuse of power. [Republicans] are going around incessantly, outside of this hearing, about Donald Trump, and the purpose of this hearing is to cover up for what they know to be an inappropriate investigation [into District Attorney Alvin Bragg]," Goldman said.

MANHATTAN DA ALVIN BRAGG SUES REP. JIM JORDAN OVER TRUMP INDICTMENT SUBPOENAS

"Can I respond to you, please?" Brame asked as Goldman attempted to move on.

"Not right now, because I only have 20 seconds, I'm sorry. But I, I do–" Goldman said.

"Don't insult my intelligence," Brame interjected as Chairman Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, attempted to maintain order. "You're trying to insult me like I'm not aware of what's going on here. I'm fully aware of what's going on here, OK? That's why I walked away from the plantation of the Democratic Party."

HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE DEMANDS MANHATTAN DA ALVIN BRAGG TESTIFY ABOUT POSSIBLE TRUMP INDICTMENT

Brame had testified earlier about Bragg's mishandling of her son's murder case. Her son, Army Sgt. Hason Correa, was beaten and stabbed nine times by multiple people in 2018. The prosecution for the cases dragged on for more than four years, and Bragg ultimately removed the indictments against two of the suspects in favor of lesser charges. Two others ended up receiving life sentences.

Brame argued that Bragg's office has only served to escalate the city's crime problem, showing no "measurable results" in lowering the city's violent crime rate.

Mayorkas held calls with ACLU nearly two dozen times in five-month period in 2021, documents show

EXCLUSIVE: Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas held nearly two dozen calls with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in the first months of the Biden administration, official documents show.

Mayorkas’ official calendar from February to June 2021 was obtained by the government watchdog group Americans for Public Trust through a Freedom of Information Act request.

The calendar shows 23 calls with the left-wing civil rights group, which has called for immigration detention as a "last resort," and opposed multiple Trump-era border security and interior enforcement initiatives.

The meetings coincided with a dramatic lurch to the left by the Biden administration after it took over from the Trump administration, during which the new administration sought to slap a moratorium on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportations, scrapped the "Remain-in-Mexico" policy and halted border wall construction. Republicans have tied those moves and others, including an expansion of "catch-and-release," to the historic migrant surge that followed.

BIDEN ADMIN TO HOLD MIGRANTS' ‘CREDIBLE FEAR’ SCREENINGS IN CBP FACILITIES AS BORDER PREPARES FOR SURGE

The DHS secretary's first call with the activist group is registered on Feb 16, involving executive director Anthony Romero.

Over the next months, multiple meetings were held on Title 42 -- the Trump-era public health order that allows for the rapid expulsion of migrants at the southern border due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That order is now due to end on May 11. Liberal groups had criticized the use of the order, saying it denied migrants their right to claim asylum in the U.S. The ACLU has called it a "horrific" policy and had sued in an attempt to shut down the use of the order.

Another meeting on May 11 was called "ACLU recommendations" and came after another call with the group. That came a day before Mayorkas headed to the Senate Appropriations Committee in which he and Attorney General Merrick Garland stressed the threat posed to national security by domestic terrorist groups, including white supremacists.

Separately, Mayorkas held multiple meetings with "immigration advocates" at least seven times between February and May, suggesting additional left-wing voices were at the table when it came to immigration. Americans for Public Trust tied the meetings to the liberal policies put into place at the beginning of the administration.

"At a time when our country was barreling toward an unprecedented border crisis, Secretary Mayorkas gave open-borders activists an unusually prominent seat at the table," Americans for Public Trust executive director, Caitlin Sutherland said in a statement to Fox News Digital. 

"This administration’s decision to allow the very people advocating to dismantle DHS to shape its agenda led us to the crisis we’re seeing today. This raises serious questions about who is actually running the show at DHS," she said.

CBP OFFICIALS WARN POTENTIAL ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS THAT ‘BORDER IS NOT OPEN’ AS TITLE 42'S END NEARS

The calendars also show three meetings on "enforcement priorities." between February and May. The administration, after being blocked from imposing a deportation moratorium, would attempt to restrict ICE agents to focusing only on three types of illegal immigrant -- recent border crossers, national security threats and public safety threats. 

Those restrictions, which have now been blocked amid a lawsuit which is before the Supreme Court, coincided with a sharp drop in deportations of illegal immigrants under the administration. Mayorkas, meanwhile, has been facing increasing scrutiny from lawmakers in the Republican-led House, who have blamed his policies for the border crisis and have even floated a possible impeachment. The administration has argued it is trying to open humane pathways for asylum while dealing with what it sees as a hemisphere-wide challenge.

It is unclear if that pace of meetings with the ACLU has continued. DHS and the ACLU did not respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital. However, the administration has upset immigration activists -- including the ACLU -- with a number of moves in recent months as it prepares for the end of Title 42 next month.

The administration proposed a rule earlier this year that would bar illegal immigrants from claiming asylum if they have not sought asylum in a prior country through which they passed. That rule drew comparisons from activist groups to the Trump-era transit ban, and the ACLU has threatened to sue over the rule.

Meanwhile, the administration has also looked at holding credible fear hearings in Customs and Border Protection custody, while pausing the implementation of a separate asylum rule ahead of what is expected to be a significant migrant surge next month.

Democrat lawmakers demand Biden address ‘extreme right-wing Israeli government’ after West Bank violence

Democratic lawmakers are calling on the Biden administration to respond to the "extreme right-wing Israeli government" and recent "shocking violence" that has taken place between Israeli forces and residents of the West Bank.

Reps. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Jamaal Bowman of New York, and "Squad" Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Cori Bush of Missouri, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, and Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, all signed a letter last week addressed to President Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, saying they were "deeply concerned" and demanding action.

In the letter, 14 Democrats urged Biden to "ensure U.S. taxpayer funds do not support projects in illegal settlements" and to determine whether aid sent to Israel is being used to "commit or support gross violations of human rights by the Israeli government."

"Furthermore, we call on your administration to ensure that all future foreign assistance to Israel, including weapons and equipment, is not used in support of gross violations of human rights."

ISRAEL LAUNCHES RARE AIRSTRIKES IN LEBANON FOLLOWING VIOLENCE AT JERUSALEM HOLY SITE

Bowman shared the letter on social media, where he said he wanted to draw attention to the "alarming actions of the new extreme right-wing Israeli government." He also suggested the U.S. should stop funding Israel as taxpayer dollars should be "used to violate human rights."

Rep. Betty McCollum shared the letter, which she also signed, and voiced her criticism of "Israel’s extremist government."

"My colleagues & I are concerned about Israel’s extremist government & its escalation of attacks on Palestinian families. Not $1 of U.S. military aid should be used to violate Palestinians’ human rights & freedoms or annex their land," McCollum wrote on social media Saturday.

AOC DOUBLES DOWN ON 'IGNORING' ABORTION RULE, CLARENCE THOMAS IMPEACHMENT: 'ABUSE OF JUDICIAL OVERREACH'

In the letter, the Democratic lawmakers said the administration of newly elected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "includes far-right, anti-Palestinian individuals and parties."

"We urge immediate action to prevent the further loss of Israeli and Palestinian lives," they wrote. "At this inflection point, we ask your administration to undertake a shift in U.S. policy in recognition of the worsening violence, further annexation of land, and denial of Palestinian rights.

ISRAEL’S NETANYAHU AGREES TO HALT JUDICIAL REFORM FOR NOW AS MASS PROTESTS CONTINUE

The lawmakers added: "Only by protecting democracy, human rights, and self-determination for all Palestinians and Israelis can we achieve a lasting peace."

The Democrats highlighted a series of violence carried out by both Palestinians and Israeli forces in February, which included the death of Israeli-American citizen Elan Ganeles, who was shot dead by a Palestinian gunman in the West Bank.

"This Israeli government’s anti-democratic mission to dismantle the rule of law is a threat to Israelis and Palestinians alike," the lawmakers wrote. "We are deeply concerned by [the] Israeli government moves that demonstrate that illegal de facto and de jure annexation of the occupied West Bank is well underway."

And, "The Israeli government’s actions are in clear violation of international law and commitments made to the U.S.; its agenda will further devastate Palestinian communities and heighten tension with violent consequences for both Palestinians and Israelis. Only clear steps to change political conditions will pave the way for peace."

The letter was also signed by Summer Lee of Pennsylvania, Raúl Grijalva of Arizona, Bonnie Watson Coleman of New Jersey, Jesús García of Illinois, Delia Ramirez of Illinois and André Carson of Indiana.

Supreme Court temporarily allows access to abortion pill mifepristone amid judges’ contradicting orders

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday temporarily allowed access to the abortion pill mifepristone after a Texas ruling last week set limits to the use of the drug. 

Justice Samuel Alito halted the lower court rulings that seek to limit access to mifepristone Friday, which in turn freezes the litigation being pursued by anti-abortion groups and maintains availability. 

The conservative justice asked for challenges to the lower court ruling to be filed by Tuesday at noon.

Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas ruled last week that the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) improperly approved mifepristone.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) filed emergency requests Friday to freeze Kacsmaryk's injunction, along with Danco Laboratories. 

The halt on the ruling gives the Biden administration more time to issue challenges.

JUSTICE THOMAS DEFENDS TRIPS TAKEN WITH ‘DEAREST FRIENDS’ AFTER REPORTS SAY HE ACCEPTED GIFTS

Kacsmaryk's ruling would limit the drug's distribution and jeopardize mifepristone's FDA approval.

The Biden administration is planning to defend mifepristone's availability in light of the landmark Dobbs decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in June 2022. 

Anti-abortion groups and Republican legislators across the country are advocating for abortion bans and restrictions. 

PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS CALL FOR CLARENCE THOMAS IMPEACHMENT AFTER REPORTED UNDISCLOSED GIFTS FROM GOP MEGADONOR

The Supreme Court will keep the Texas ruling on hold until 11:59 p.m. Wednesday. The court is expected to issue another order by that time.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved mifepristone in 2000. It has been used to terminate more than 5 million pregnancies.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Jewish friends of GOP donor associated with Justice Thomas defend him from ‘Nazi fetish’ claims: ‘Foolishness’

FIRST ON FOX: Members of the Jewish community are rushing to the defense of a GOP donor who is friends with Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and recently came under fire for possessing Nazi memorabilia in his massive collection of historical artifacts.

Real estate developer and Texas resident Harlan Crow has faced scrutiny from dozens of outlets for an assortment of items in his personal collection after a ProPublica investigation published last week found that Thomas’ close friendship with the billionaire allowed him to accompany Crow and his family on luxury vacations on his private jet and yacht, as well as have free stays on Crow’s vast vacation property.

Crow was labeled by the Rolling Stone as being "Nazi-obsessed," while Vanity Fair accused him of having a "Nazi fetish" due to his collection of artifacts from years past, which includes paintings of Hitler and other memorabilia from the Nazi era. Similarly, the Washingtonian launched an attack on Crow's collection of "Hitler artifacts" in an article and included a quote from one individual who said they "still can’t get over the collection of Nazi memorabilia."

But Crow's collection includes other items, according to those familiar with the lot, that his friends say members of the media overlooked — including a statue of Harriet Tubman, a painting of former President Abraham Lincoln that was painted by former President Dwight Eisenhower, a statue of vocal Nazi opponent Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a painting of Ulysses S. Grant, statues of Alexander Hamilton and Benjamin Franklin, a signed first edition of "Measure of a Man" by Martin Luther King Jr., and a statue of Sister Virgilius, who was known for her passion for educating the poor and least educated.

JUSTICE THOMAS DEFENDS TRIPS TAKEN WITH ‘DEAREST FRIENDS’ AFTER REPORTS SAY HE ACCEPTED GIFTS

Following the headlines of Crow in the media, Jewish Americans who know him best are now moving to dispel rumors that he has special interest in collecting Nazi memorabilia.

"Judaism is committed to never forgetting: to always remembering the great moments in history so that we can build upon them; and the horrors of history so that they are never repeated. We even have an entire holiday called Tisha B'Av dedicated to remembering the tragedies and persecutors in Jewish history from the destruction of the Temple to the Holocaust," Rabbi Michael Barclay of California told Fox News Digital. "It's easy for us all to remember the heroes, but as a Jewish leader, I thank God for men like Harlan Crow, who help us also remember the villains and the atrocities they committed so that they never happen again."

"As those who survived the Holocaust die off, it becomes ever more important to remember the true evil of the Nazis and not let Holocaust deniers rewrite history," Barclay added. "Less than one percent of Mr. Crow's collection include a 'rogue's gallery', and this collection is important so that we never forget the evils of Hitler, Stalin, Mao and the like. And with God's help and the work of men like Mr. Crow, never let those types of evil leaders come to power again."

Similarly, Josh and Michelle Lobel, both self-described as "strongly identifying, committed and active members of the Jewish Community," said in a statement to Fox that they "cannot help but shake our heads at the profoundly ignorant and savage attacks on our close friends Harlan and Kathy Crow."

The married couple, both of whom have donated to Republicans and Democrats in the past, said they "were immediately befriended by the Crows" after they moved to Dallas two years ago and have "traveled with the Crows, dined with the Crows, been guests at their home, and vice versa."

PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS CALL FOR CLARENCE THOMAS IMPEACHMENT AFTER REPORTED UNDISCLOSED GIFTS FROM GOP MEGADONOR

"We have gotten to know each other’s children," the pair said. "The Crows have exhibited warmth, camaraderie, hospitality and a genuine affection for us as individuals and as Jews. Harlan and Kathy’s success combined with their love of history has enabled them to assemble a museum-worthy collection of historical books and artifacts that is a treat to behold. The museum, which is professionally curated and managed, contains priceless historical Jewish texts and a Stradivarius."

"Stories have been published implying that the Crows, because their museum contains Nazi artifacts from WWII, are Nazi sympathizers," the couple added. "What we want to address is that, as Jews, we are friends of Harlan and Kathy Crow, and we are letting the world know that this attack on their character that implies they are weird Nazi fetishists is pure foolishness and cannot withstand one shred of scrutiny. The last time the four of us were together was at an event for United Hatzalah, a multi-ethnic life-saving ambulance service operating throughout Israel. Guess which couple has been one of the major donors to this incredible organization? Maybe it’s the same Crows."

Crow's massive collection — which sprawls from his personal residence to his business properties — also includes documents signed by Christopher Columbus and former President George Washington, as well as statues of British political icons Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher.

Thomas defended his relationship with the Crow family and explained in a statement issued last Friday that he has always followed Supreme Court guidance.

"Harlan and Kathy Crow are among our dearest friends, and we have been friends for over twenty-five years," said Thomas, who has served on the bench for 32 years.

"As friends do, we have joined them on a number of family trips during the more than quarter-century we have known them. Early in my tenure at the Court, I sought guidance from my colleagues and others in the judiciary, and was advised that this sort of personal hospitality from close personal friends, who did not have business before the Court, was not reportable," he continued.

"I have endeavored to follow that counsel throughout my tenure, and have always sought to comply with the disclosure guidelines," he added. "These guidelines are now being changed, as the committee of the Judicial Conference responsible for financial disclosure for the entire federal judiciary just this past month announced new guidance. And, it is, of course, my intent to follow this guidance in the future."

Fox News' Brianna Herlihy, Shannon Bream, and Bill Mears contributed to this article.

Republican Eric Early enters California Senate race to replace Dianne Feinstein

Pro-Trump GOP attorney Eric Early announced Tuesday he's running for Senate in California, joining three high-profile Democratic candidates vying to replace Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.

Early — who ran unsuccessfully for state attorney general in 2022 and 2018 and for Congress against Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., in 2020 — launched his campaign with a video promising to secure the border and fight fentanyl, bring back manufacturing jobs and put parents, not"far-left extremists," in charge of their children's education.

On his campaign website, Early says he will "stand-up to the Socialist woke interests that control Washington, DC, fight to preserve and protect our Democracy, and fight for ordinary Californians who are being left behind." 

CALIFORNIA DEMOCRATIC REP. ADAM SCHIFF TO RUN FOR US SENATE SEAT HELD BY FEINSTEIN

CALIFORNIA DEMOCRAT REP. KATIE PORTER ANNOUNCES 2024 SENATE RUN FOR SEN. FEINSTEIN'S SEAT

Feinstein, the oldest sitting senator at age 89, announced her retirement in February, stating that she will not seek reelection in 2024. Her term will expire in January 2025. 

Though Early is the first major Republican candidate to replace her, he remains a long shot in the notoriously liberal Golden State.

DIANNE FEINSTEIN ANNOUNCES SHE WILL NOT SEEK RE-ELECTION IN 2024 

The last Republican to win a statewide election in California was Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2006. Democrats currently hold veto-proof supermajorities in both houses of the state legislature, and of the 52 members of its congressional delegation, 40 are Democrats and 12 are Republicans, along with two Democratic senators. 

Early is joining a field led by three prominent Democratic members of Congress: Rep. Katie Porter, known for her tough questioning of CEOs and other witnesses at hearings; Rep. Adam Schiff, who rose to national prominence as the lead prosecutor in then-President Donald Trump’s first impeachment trial; and Rep. Barbara Lee, the only member of Congress to vote against the authorization for the use of military force after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

In the 2022 primary election for attorney general, Early received 16% of the vote and did not advance to the November runoff. In the 2018 contest, he received 14% of the vote and did not advance then either. In his 2020 congressional race, he lost in a landslide to Schiff, who announced his candidacy for Senate in January and is campaigning with the endorsement of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., 

"Adam Schiff, Katie Porter and Barbara Lee have been in Congress for a combined 51 years. Judge them by the results of their actions and their votes — they put us in this mess," Early said in a statement announcing his campaign. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.