Supreme Court claps back after months of criticism over ethics

The Supreme Court unveiled a 15-page formal code of conduct addressing recusal, financial interests, and permissible activities.

The ethical standards aim to dispel liberal criticism and perceptions of lax oversight, signaling adherence to principles long observed by other federal courts.

• Under the code, justices shall recuse themselves in cases involving financial stakes or relatives.
• They’re advised to abstain from political activities.
• They’ll follow gift and financial disclosure regulations.
• The justices may provide consultation in public hearings and speak, write and teach on matters related to the law.
• They may be reimbursed and given just compensation for speaking or writing engagements.

The code, although praised as a confidence-building measure by some, drew criticism for lacking enforcement mechanisms or a path for complaints about justices’ conduct, leaving concerns unresolved, particularly around recusal amid conflicts of interest.

“We are issuing this code, which largely represents a codification of principles that we have long regarded as governing our conduct,” the justices said in a statement.

A comprehensive version of this article by Alex Swoyer may be found HERE