STATEMENT: SCOTUS Publishes Unenforceable Ethics Guidelines

WASHINGTON, DC – The Supreme Court today released a set of guidelines it called a “code of conduct,” following increasing pressure as the corruption crisis at the high court mounts. In its statement, the Court admitted that many of the rules established in the document are not new.

Accountable.US president Caroline Ciccone released the following statement in response:

“To say the Supreme Court’s new “code of conduct” fails to meet the moment would be an understatement. After a year of countless ethics issues and mounting pressure to fix its corruption crisis, the Court released a set of written — and apparently unenforceable — guidelines. Many of these rules were already established, and there’s no mention whatsoever of how they will be enforced. There existed clear disclosure rules when Justice Thomas maintained a decades-long improper relationship with billionaire benefactor Harlan Crow — Thomas just chose not to abide by them. Chief Justice Roberts has deflected responsibility every step of the way. Without a clear enforcement mechanism, this “code of conduct” is just a PR stunt to appease the American public as it demands better from its Supreme Court.”