In recent weeks, as Democrats prepare to subpoena Supreme Court Justice Thomas Alito’s close allies in their investigations into his financial dealings, one particular benefactor of the justice seems to have no fear of facing those cross-examinations — the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
The foundation, founded by Johnson & Johnson pharma heiress Kay Kendall, has provided over one and a half million dollars to Alito’s related causes over the years. This includes $1 million for the Thomas Alito Supreme Court Cultural Foundation, a non-profit created by Alito to fund his opinions concerning various constitutional questions. The foundation has also given another $584,000 to Alito’s alma mater, Princeton University, for a conference revolving around his Supreme Court opinions.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s generosity toward Alito’s causes is not taken lightly, despite the fact that he has abstained from all matters concerning Johnson & Johnson. Justices on the Supreme Court often need to abstain themselves from party-specific cases in order to maintain their neutrality and impartiality, and Alito has done just that.
Alito’s continual support of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s mission of “affordable healthcare access and improved health outcomes” reflects his own views on the judiciary’s role in health care matters. Alito has argued that decisions concerning health care should be left to the states, not the federal government, as he believes federal actions “unacceptably interfere with state sovereignty.”
Despite the hefty contributions of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to Justice Alito’s related projects, the foundation has yet to comment publicly on Alito’s relationship with them. It is possible that the foundation has simply chosen to avoid the public scrutiny that could come with that type of exposure.
Regardless, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s steadfast support of Justice Alito shows that it has no fear of becoming part of any investigation into his financial dealings as the Democrats prepare for their subpoenas, and their substantial donations to Alito’s causes speak volumes about their view of his role on the Supreme Court.
In recent weeks, as Democrats prepare to subpoena Supreme Court Justice Thomas Alito’s close allies in their investigations into his financial dealings, one particular benefactor of the justice seems to have no fear of facing those cross-examinations — the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
The foundation, founded by Johnson & Johnson pharma heiress Kay Kendall, has provided over one and a half million dollars to Alito’s related causes over the years. This includes $1 million for the Thomas Alito Supreme Court Cultural Foundation, a non-profit created by Alito to fund his opinions concerning various constitutional questions. The foundation has also given another $584,000 to Alito’s alma mater, Princeton University, for a conference revolving around his Supreme Court opinions.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s generosity toward Alito’s causes is not taken lightly, despite the fact that he has abstained from all matters concerning Johnson & Johnson. Justices on the Supreme Court often need to abstain themselves from party-specific cases in order to maintain their neutrality and impartiality, and Alito has done just that.
Alito’s continual support of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s mission of “affordable healthcare access and improved health outcomes” reflects his own views on the judiciary’s role in health care matters. Alito has argued that decisions concerning health care should be left to the states, not the federal government, as he believes federal actions “unacceptably interfere with state sovereignty.”
Despite the hefty contributions of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to Justice Alito’s related projects, the foundation has yet to comment publicly on Alito’s relationship with them. It is possible that the foundation has simply chosen to avoid the public scrutiny that could come with that type of exposure.
Regardless, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s steadfast support of Justice Alito shows that it has no fear of becoming part of any investigation into his financial dealings as the Democrats prepare for their subpoenas, and their substantial donations to Alito’s causes speak volumes about their view of his role on the Supreme Court.
