Amy Coney Barrett Backs Creation of Supreme Court Ethics Code

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett has expressed support for the adoption of a formal code of conduct for the nation’s highest court. Speaking at a University of Minnesota Law School event, Barrett stated that the justices already agree on holding themselves to the highest ethical standards. She believes that having a code of conduct would allow the court to better communicate their actions to the public.

Ethics concerns have been raised about the Supreme Court, with controversies surrounding justices such as Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Sonia Sotomayor. Barrett highlighted the unanimous consensus among the justices that they should uphold the highest ethical standards.

Barrett went further than her previous comments on the issue, where she welcomed public scrutiny of the court but did not explicitly endorse a change in how it operates. While she did not offer a specific opinion on adopting an official code of conduct, Barrett mentioned that the court already follows existing statutes and financial disclosure requirements.

When asked about the timeline for reaching consensus on an ethics code, Barrett declined to speculate. She emphasized that she cannot speak on behalf of the court concerning such matters.

Barrett’s appearance at the University of Minnesota Law School was part of a lecture series named for former Law School Dean Robert Stein. The event saw increased security due to activist groups calling for protests against Barrett. Several protesters disrupted Barrett’s remarks but were escorted out without any arrests.

The Supreme Court has leaned further to the right with the appointment of three justices by former President Donald Trump, including Barrett. Trust in the institution has declined, particularly after polarizing rulings like the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

Recent reporting has revealed instances of justices engaging in partisan activity and pursuing personal interests, raising questions about ethics. Justices have been cautious in their public comments on the matter. Justice Elena Kagan expressed support for an ethics code but noted the lack of consensus among the justices. Justice Samuel Alito also highlighted the need for further discussion on the issue in an interview with the Wall Street Journal.

Overall, the call for a Supreme Court ethics code has gained attention and support, with Barrett joining the conversation and advocating for clearer communication regarding the court’s actions and ethical standards.

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