Supreme Court Justice Floats Ethics Idea to John Roberts

Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan furthered calls for reform at the High Court on Thursday, suggesting that a committee be created to examine potential ethics violations by justices. Kagan, one of three liberal justices on the Supreme Court, said before a group of over 150 judges and lawyers attending the annual 9th Circuit conference that
Supreme Court Justice Floats Ethics Idea to John Roberts

Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan furthered calls for reform at the High Court on Thursday, suggesting that a committee be created to examine potential ethics violations by justices.

Kagan, one of three liberal justices on the Supreme Court, said before a group of over 150 judges and lawyers attending the annual 9th Circuit conference that the committee could be appointed by Chief Justice John Roberts. Kagan is the first justice to publicly call for the High Court to reform its ethics policies by adding a way to enforce its code of conduct. Justices have been under immense scrutiny following a string of controversies involving conservative Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas.

The Supreme Court adopted its first code of ethics last fall amid pressure from lawmakers and President Joe Biden‘s administration. Kagan said Thursday that the code is a “good one,” but that more work needs to be done to ensure that justices are held to its standards.

“Rules usually have enforcement mechanisms attached to them, and this one, this set of rules, does not,” she told the conference’s crowd.

Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan poses for the official photo at the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., on October 7, 2022. Kagan publicly called for the High Court’s ethics process to be reformed during a… OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images

Kagan’s comments come less than a month after the Supreme Court wrapped up its term, which was marked by several controversial rulings by the six-justice conservative majority, including one that expanded presidential immunity in relation to the criminal charges against former President Donald Trump.

Calls for ethics reform at the High Court were first sparked by a report by ProPublica, which found that Thomas and Alito did not disclose luxury trips and other gifts he had accepted from Republican megadonors. The New York Times also reported that flags associated with conservative movements, including one related to Trump’s “Stop the Steal” cry, were seen outside of residences owned by Alito in the aftermath of the 2020 election.

Questions have also been raised against the liberal pack on the Supreme Court. The Associated Press (AP) reported in July that justices, including Kagan, have been regularly put in the same room as “influential donors” while making visits to colleges and universities. The institutions, per AP’s report, have used the justices’ visits as fundraising opportunities, and some donors in attendance have had “interests” before the High Court.

Biden focused on pushing for Supreme Court reform during his speech from the Oval Office Wednesday night, which was the first time the president addressed the nation following his decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential race.

“I’m going to call for Supreme Court reform because this is critical to our democracy, Supreme Court reform,” the president said. “You know, I will keep working to ensure America remains strong and secure and the leader of the free world.”

In a poll conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research in June, seven in 10 Americans said that they believe Supreme Court justices are influenced by their personal ideologies instead of staying impartial.

Newsweek reached out to the Supreme Court’s press office via email for comment Thursday evening.

Update 07/25/24, 6:36 p.m. ET: This story has been updated with additional information and background.

Uncommon Knowledge

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

Total
0
Shares
Leave a Reply
Related Posts
EXCLUSIVEMillennials make the moaniest neighbours with TWO specific gripes driving them mad – but which age group is the least likely to help if you have a problem next door?
Read More

EXCLUSIVEMillennials make the moaniest neighbours with TWO specific gripes driving them mad – but which age group is the least likely to help if you have a problem next door?

A new study has revealed that millennials are the worst neighbours to live with when it comes to making a complaint.  First-time homeowners are the most concerned with keeping up appearances, research by Purplebricks suggests. It also found that two specific things really upset another particular age group when it comes to common issues with
Three monkeys is third Banksy artwork in three days
Read More

Three monkeys is third Banksy artwork in three days

Three monkeys is third Banksy artwork in three days PA Media Banksy claimed the third artwork on his Instagram on Wednesday Banksy has posted another artwork in London, marking the third piece of a new animal-themed collection - this time featuring monkeys. It is the third black silhouette composition that the Bristol-based street artist has