Supreme Court Ethics Code Criticized in Leaks

Recent leaks reveal deep divisions among U.S. Supreme Court justices regarding the enforcement of a new ethics code introduced in November 2023. Three liberal justices—Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Ketanji Brown Jackson—advocated for an enforceable code, with Kagan proposing a 'safe harbor' system involving veteran federal judges. In contrast, conservative justices, particularly Neil Gorsuch, opposed any enforcement mechanisms, fearing it would jeopardize the court's independence; Gorsuch's opposition was encapsulated in a lengthy memo. Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito also dismissed critics of the court as politically motivated and did not support stronger ethics rules. Ultimately, the Supreme Court's revised ethics code remains largely unenforced, allowing justices significant leeway regarding gifts and other ethical considerations. This lack of accountability comes in the wake of scandals, particularly involving Justice Thomas's undisclosed luxury gifts from donors.