Supreme Court Commits to Ethics, Stopping Short of Binding Code
- All nine justices sign unusual statement laying out practices
- Statement was attached to Roberts letter refusing to testify
The US Supreme Court in Washington, DC.
Photographer: Al Drago/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
The US Supreme Court responded to mounting ethics controversies with a signed by all nine justices vowing to follow “foundational ethics principles and practices,” but suggesting they see no need for a formal code of conduct.
The statement, which was highly unusual, was attached to a letter Tuesday from Chief Justice John Roberts refusing a request to testify before a Senate committee. It isn’t likely to forestall the intensifying scrutiny of individual justices or end what appears to be a growing clash between different branches of government over the disclosure and recusal practices of the nation’s highest court.