text:  Two top Democratic senators have called on the Justice Department to open a criminal probe into Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas on potential violations of ethics, false statement and tax laws. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island and Ron Wyden of Oregon are urging Attorney General Merrick Garland to appoint a special counsel to investigate Thomas's failure to disclose lavish gifts, luxury travel and other perks gifted to Thomas by wealthy friends, including billionaire conservative mega donor Harlan Crowe.