WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Monday adopted its first code of ethics, in the face of sustained criticism over undisclosed trips and gifts from wealthy benefactors to some justices, but the code lacks a means of enforcement.
The policy, agreed to by all nine justices, does not appear to impose any significant new requirements and leaves compliance entirely to each justice.
It will be written in big, bold letters. On the beach. At low tide.
An empty list sadly does meet the definition of a “code of ethics”
Honest question. Everyone is upset because this code of conduct has no enforcement. I’m probably missing something, but is there any enforcement the supreme court can even do to themselves, without violating the constitution or something? They certainly can’t kick anyone off the court without an impeachment from congress. Are there other actions they can take?
If an entire branch of government has no interest in representing the people they’re charged with representing, and resist accountability - particularly after egregious corruption comes to light, they need to be removed.
Unless I’m mistaken, a removal attempt by the other branches of government will trigger a constitutional crisis, so populist solutions may be required.
