Global Courant 2023-05-24 09:11:28
Chief Justice John Roberts reiterated the Supreme Court’s “status as an independent branch” while speaking about ethics.
He also said he was “considering” steps for judges to “hold to the highest standards of conduct”.
The comments come after the court’s ethics were questioned by Congress.
Chief Justice John Roberts said during a public address on Tuesday that the court does not need other government departments to monitor its ethics, but acknowledged he was “committed” to ensuring judges followed high standards of conduct.
Roberts, speaking Tuesday night at the The annual dinner of the American Law Institutealso said the court is “considering” ways for judges to “hold to the highest standards of conduct” – but did not provide details on what changes could be in the works.
“I want to assure people that I am committed to ensuring that we as a court adhere to the highest standards of conduct,” Roberts said. “We continue to look at things we can do to practically deliver on that commitment. And I am confident there are ways to do that that are consistent with our status as an independent branch of government under the separation of powers in the Constitution.”
The comments will come later Public confidence in the Supreme Court reached an all-time low and after multiple reports questioned the judges’ ethics. Justice Clarence Thomas took over lavish secret vacations on a private jet and superyacht paid for by GOP mega donor Harlan Crow for years without disclosing them. It was later revealed that Thomas had sold his childhood home of Crowwho again failed to disclose the sale.
Insider’s Mattathias Schwartz also reported that Roberts’ wife made millions as a legal recruiter for law firms, according to a whistleblower who worked with her.
However, the court refrained from publicly adopting a code of ethics, saying they would instead abide by a general code of conduct in a letter to Congress, which has tried to rule its strength in recent months.
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The letter, signed by all nine judges, raised concerns about “threats” to judges’ safety — a point reiterated by Roberts during his speech on Tuesday.
“Judges fell and yelled down at the law school. Demonstrators outside Justices’ homes to the extent that martial protection is needed 24/7,” Roberts said.
“The hardest decision I had to make was erecting fences and barricades around the Supreme Court,” he added, referring to the barriers put up following a draft opinion on the court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade was leaked to the press.
Experts previously told Insider that recent controversies would arise internal policing and behavioral changes within the Supreme Court.
A spokesman for the Supreme Court did not immediately respond to Insider’s request for comment.
Read the original article Business Insider
