Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas' 1991 confirmation hearing was marked by sexual harassment allegations against him relating to his conduct at several federal agencies. Barbara L'Italien said she would file an impeachment resolution against Thomas for perjury during his confirmation hearings. | Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP Photo Massachusetts Democrat calls for Clarence Thomas impeachment

A Massachusetts Democrat has added a plank to her campaign platform: Impeach Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.

Barbara L'Italien, a state senator running in a crowded field to replace retiring Rep. Niki Tsongas, is declaring her intention to file an impeachment resolution against Thomas as part of an effort to address sexual assault if elected to Congress.


L'Italien said she is also calling for congressional hearings into President Donald Trump's alleged sexual misconduct.

“There is an elephant in the room for Congress in the #MeToo era. Our leaders have to start talking about it. Two of the most powerful men in the country have been credibly accused of sexual crimes and gotten away with it,” L’Italien said. “Laws cracking down on sexual assault have to be signed by a president who multiple women say assaulted them. Regulations to stop sexual harassment can be struck down by a Supreme Court justice who lied under oath to counter allegations of sexual harassment. Why would victims think a government like that is looking out for them?”

Thomas' 1991 confirmation hearing was marked by sexual harassment allegations against him relating to his conduct at several federal agencies. L'Italien said she would file the impeachment resolution against Thomas for perjury during his confirmation hearings to the Supreme Court, insisting there is "considerable evidence that Thomas lied under oath" about his professional conduct, namely claims that he sexually harassed Anita Hill.

According to spokesman Joe Katz, L'Italien is the first candidate to advocate for Thomas' impeachment.

L'Italien is also going after a Democratic competitor in her congressional race over his handling of a sexual harassment incident inside Boston City Hall.

L'Italien told Boston Herald Radio that Dan Koh, former chief of staff to Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, had his chance to stand up and do the right thing when former Boston Health and Human Services chief Felix Arroyo was accused of sexual harassment.

"He didn't do it," L'Itailen said. On Wednesday, the Herald ran a cover story under the headline "KOH FAILED 'METOO.'"

Koh's campaign manager Rachel Goldenberg challenged L'Italien's claim, saying the mayor's office handled the situation properly.

"It's unfortunate that a few days after a UMass Lowell poll shows Dan in the lead, Senator L'Italien resorts to false personal attacks. That’s not what people want to see from candidates. Rather, Democrats should be united in working to oppose President Trump and his disastrous policies," Goldenberg said.

L'Italien has shown a knack for generating headlines in her crowded primary, most notably by duping "Fox & Friends First" earlier this summer. The show thought it had booked a so-called pro-ICE Democrat, but it had reached out to L'Italien's spokesman by mistake. L'Italien went ahead with the appearance and used it as a platform to blast Trump's immigration policy.

Massachusetts voters will head to the polls Sept. 4.

