Supreme Court ethics code

Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan has called for the establishment of an enforcement mechanism for the ethics code adopted by the justices in 2023, emphasizing that rules without enforcement are ineffective. Speaking at the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference, Kagan acknowledged the difficulty of determining who should oversee enforcement but suggested that Chief Justice John Roberts could appoint a committee of respected lower-court judges to handle ethics complaints. She expressed concern that allowing justices to police one another would be problematic and highlighted the need to protect justices from unfounded accusations. Kagan's remarks come amid ongoing scrutiny of the Court's ethics standards, particularly regarding justices like Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas. Despite her advocacy, there are currently no plans for implementing an enforcement mechanism, although President Biden has indicated court reform is a priority. Kagan also criticized the practice of justices issuing individual opinions, which she believes undermines the Court's guidance for lower courts.