Press Releases
Accountable.US Findings Spark Justice Gorsuch’s Recusal in High-Stakes Environmental Case
WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch reportedly recused himself from Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County, Colorado—a case that could weaken the environmental protections under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)— following significant public and congressional pressure. The recusal comes after a group of watchdog and accountability organizations, led by Accountable.US, sent a letter to Chief Justice John Roberts demanding Gorsuch step aside due to his close ties to billionaire Philip Anschutz. The letter detailed how Anschutz, whose company filed an amicus brief in the case, would directly benefit from a ruling limiting NEPA.
Justice Gorsuch only recused himself after this glaring conflict was brought to light through Accountable.US research, sparking outrage from additional groups, Rep. Hank Johnson and other members of Congress. This recusal is another reminder of how the Justices’ cozy relationships with billionaires and special interests continue to plague the Supreme Court and keep public trust in the Court at an all-time low. This recusal further proves the need for more transparency and enforceable ethical standards for the Justices.”
Caroline Ciccone, President of Accountable.US.
The coalition letter, signed by groups including End Citizens United Action Fund, Indivisible, and Take Back the Court, outlined Gorsuch’s professional and personal ties to Anschutz, whose company filed an amicus brief supporting the petitioners.
The letter also detailed how weakening NEPA would undermine critical environmental protections, allowing projects like the Uinta Basin Railway—benefiting billionaire Philip Anschutz—to bypass rigorous environmental reviews. Such a decision could set a dangerous precedent, prioritizing corporate profits over public health and climate safeguards.
On November 21, Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA), ranking member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, sent a letter, signed by 12 other members of Congress, to Justice Neil Gorsuch urging him to recuse in the Seven County case due to conflicts of interest. Other signatories include Jasmine Crockett, Raul Grijalva, Madeleine Dean, Steve Cohen, Cory Bush, Jared Huffman, Lloyd Doggett, Rashida Tlaib, Melanie Stansbury, Delia C. Ramirez, Nikema Williams, and Summer Lee.
For more information, read Accountable.US’ memo and report from this fall.
