Lawmakers seek probe of group that seeks probe of U.S. Supreme Court justices

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Rep. Louie Gohmert wants the Justice Department to investigate Common Cause, the group that asked the Justice Department to investigate two U.S. Supreme Court justices for conflicts of interest based on the justices’ association with a top conservative financier.

The Texas Republican called for the probe after a conservative website posted video footage of protesters making threatening comments about Justices Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas, Politico reports. One demonstrator said of Justice Thomas, the only black justice on the court: “What do we do with him? String him up. And his wife, too. Let’s get rid of Ginny.”

Gohmert wants Attorney General Eric Holder to investigate whether the group should lose its nonprofit status.

It is unclear whether the protesters were members of Common Cause, and the group has condemned the demonstrations.

Rep. Steve King, an Iowa Republican, joined Gohmert in blasting the group.  King accused Common Cause of conducting a smear campaign against Justice Thomas, who, like Justice Scalia, attended private events hosted by billionaire GOP donors Charles and David Koch.

“This is an organized attempt of media lynching of Justice Thomas,” King said.