Turning 'a blind eye': Justice Roberts slammed for ignoring demands of stricter SCOTUS ethical codes
U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Roberts is not pleased with the calls to increase ethical standards of conduct for the high court. In fact, the justice even expressed disapproval of the idea of Congress overseeing the court's ethics.
According to Business Insider, Roberts' remarks came on Tuesday, May 23 during a public address while he attended the American Law Institute's annual dinner.
"I want to assure people that I am committed to making certain that we as a court adhere to the highest standards of conduct. We are continuing to look at things we can do to give practical effect to that commitment," Roberts said.
He added, "And I am confident there are ways to do that that are consistent with our status as an independent branch of government under the Constitution's separation of powers."
Justices are currently facing scrutiny due to a number of reports that have shed light on issues that raise ethical concerns., including Clarence Thomas' extravagant gifts from Harlan Crow and Roberts' wife's millions of dollars working as a legal recruiter for multiple law firms. But despite growing concerns, the court has refrained from implementing more ethical reforms.
READ MORE: Chief justice doubles down in letter to Senate Dems day before hearing on SCOTUS ethics reform
All of the justices signed documentation agreeing to adhere to the ethical codes currently in place. However, judges are still facing blowback.
"Judges heckled and shouted down at law school. Protesters outside the homes of Justices to the extent that martial protection is needed 24/7," Roberts said. "The hardest decision I had to make was whether to erect fences and barricades around the Supreme Court."
Legal experts have also pushed back with their concerns about ethical standards in the high court.
"What about Clarence Thomas’ ethics? Was it hard to turn a blind eye?" All Access President Joel Denver tweeted. "Chief Justice Roberts says building a fence around Supreme Court was the 'hardest decision' of his tenure."
