A Supreme Court justice resigned 54 years ago over conduct that may 'pale in comparison' to Clarence Thomas' — but Thomas is almost certain to get off scot-free thanks in part to the 'Trump effect'

• Supreme Court Justice Abe Fortas resigned in 1969 over accusations of financial misconduct.
• Courts experts told Insider Justice Clarence Thomas' alleged misconduct appears far worse.
• But unlike Fortas, Thomas is unlikely to experience severe consequences in the post-Trump era.

The controversy surrounding Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has prompted comparisons to Abe Fortas — the only Supreme Court justice to ever resign from the high court.