Press Releases
Gorsuch’s Billionaire Ties Threaten Supreme Court Integrity: In a Letter to Chief Justice Roberts, Advocacy and Watchdog Groups Demand Recusal in High-Stakes NEPA Case
Today, Accountable.US, along with over a dozen watchdog and accountability organizations sent a letter to Chief Justice John Roberts demanding that Justice Neil Gorsuch recuse himself from the upcoming case Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County, Colo., due to his close ties with big oil billionaire Philip Anschutz, who stands to financially gain from the outcome of this case. This demand follows a virtual press briefing held last week, where advocacy leaders and members of Congress raised alarms about the ongoing ethical concerns plaguing the Supreme Court, emphasizing the urgency for reform. Watch it here.
The groups sent a letter to Chief Justice John Roberts urging Gorsuch’s recusal, citing a significant conflict of interest as Anschutz stands to gain financially from the outcome of the case.
The letter highlights Gorsuch’s long-standing professional and personal relationship with Anschutz, including serving as outside counsel to Anschutz’s companies, attending private retreats hosted by Anschutz, and co-investing in properties with Anschutz business associates. Anschutz’s companies stand to benefit significantly if the court weakens the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), potentially stripping away crucial environmental regulations.
The cozy relationship between Philip F. Anschultz and Justice Gorsuch far surpasses the standard of “reasonably-questioned impartiality” for the federal recusal statute. This relationship that creates a conflict of interest is just the latest example of countless violations in the years-long Supreme Court ethics crisis. Lasting accountability and reform are needed to restore integrity back into the nation's highest Court. Now is the time for action to ensure our Court is held to the highest standards of ethics and impartiality. Our democracy depends on it.”
The letter sent to Chief Justice Roberts
The letter also notes that Anschutz’s companies have acknowledged in a recent amicus brief that they stand to benefit from a rollback of NEPA, as it would reduce costs associated with environmental reviews and litigation for all of the company’s development projects on public land.
The coalition of organizations urges the Supreme Court to take immediate action to ensure Justice Gorsuch’s recusal and restore public confidence in the judiciary.
Read the full letter here.
List of signatories:
Accountable.US
Action Together NEPA
Clean Elections Texas
CommonDefense.us
Courage California
DemCast USA
End Citizens United Action Fund
Free Speech For People
Greenpeace USA
Indivisible
People Power United
Revolving Door Project
Stand Up America
Take Back the Court
###
