Are New Ethics Rules Needed as Gorsuch, Roberts & Thomas Face Questions over Finances?

Democracy Now!
Democracy Now!
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Published 2023-05-03
Three conservative Supreme Court justices are now embroiled in a growing ethics scandal about their personal and financial connections. Recent reporting has revealed that Justice Neil Gorsuch sold property he co-owned to the head of a major law firm that has since had many cases before the court, Justice Clarence Thomas failed to disclose lavish gifts and payments from billionaire and conservative activist Harlan Crow, and the wife of Chief Justice John Roberts was paid over $10 million in commissions as a job recruiter placing lawyers at elite law firms. Legal experts and lawmakers are increasingly pushing for ethics reform on the high court, with the Senate Judiciary Committee holding a hearing on the issue on Tuesday. “Because they don’t have an ethics code, you don’t know whether they’re doing things in an above-board way,” says Vox senior correspondent Ian Millhiser. He also discusses growing frustration that California Senator Dianne Feinstein has not resigned her seat amid a prolonged absence from the Senate due to illness, which is stopping Democrats from confirming federal judges.

Transcript: www.democracynow.org/2023/5/3/supreme_court_corrup…

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All Comments (21)
  • @DemocracyNow
    If you appreciate what we do, please consider making a donation to power our independent journalism. ➡ bit.ly/41XJggw
  • @MrChuck365
    A court without a statement of ethical standards and enforcement cannot be presumed to be ethical and impartial.
  • @janiekcarney5482
    To refuse to establish an ethics code is the biggest crime of all.
  • @BAROMETERONE
    Blatant criminal behavior by those that are supposed to represent and uphold our values at the most fundamental levels. Put them in jail and let's begin to restore confidence and integrity back to our institutions.
  • @ninadaly7639
    The absolute arrogance of these justices is astounding! They have brought this on themselves and it is well deserved. Their behavior is outrageous!! Now they want us to trust them policing themselves?? It is their own completely unethical behavior that has by now convinced the majority of Americans that they do not have the character or integrity to police themselves.
  • @TheWaterman2011
    I can't even imagine allowing a group with so much power, not to have an oversite or governing component. America is so broken
  • @rogerhull5632
    Investigate, prosecute if appropriate, impeach if appropriate and set strict laws against such grift and corruption. Do not let these liars and grifters further undermine this country’s courts.
  • @anthonymcneill1465
    The actions and activities of some justices begs the question is why everyday Americans should obey the law, when those at the top don't obey it, feeling they are above it. They are human and not above reproach or blame. A system of processes and procedures must be developed to ensure the credibility of the court is not further eroded by these few. And to the extent practical, hold them accountable.
  • @frdml01
    So the US has 9 people, just 9 people, who have the ultimate authority to decide over national (legal) issues. But they can NOT be held accountable in any way. Very strange.
  • @kristoffaninkama3883
    Not only ebact new ethics for these thieves sitting on the highest court of the land, but also IMPEACH these three and remove them from office.
  • @Rhythmicons
    They also have to make sure there are mandatory recusals when there is a conflict of interest.
  • @zedwolf1589
    Its time to reform the entire Supreme Court, the rules should be the same for congress. If they take contributions from a company then that congressman should remove themselves from any legislation or they shouldn't be able to make laws about a corporation they have stocks and bonds with.
  • @kevinchristensen7510
    The SCOTUS currently does have a defense for appearances of corruption and impropriety it's, "What are you gonna do about it?" It seems to be working for them, so why would they change it?
  • @wildyam474
    I would be shocked if they were actually held accountable and removed.
  • @sarchizm
    The IRS needs to go after him for tax evasion. Gifts cannot exceed $10k per person per year.
  • @OkiChick302
    Scalia died while at a "quid pro quo" arrangement resort. This is nothing new. We need ethics laws for the Supreme court and annual comprehensive audits to go with that.
  • @akeleven
    The media has utterly failed to fully disclose what Crow did for Thomas's mother. He bought the surrounding property, remodeled her house, threw out the noisy neighbors, & installed a policeman! And a coffee shop! In other words he upgraded the whole neighborhood. So it's worth a lot more than $130,000 that he paid for Thomas's property.