Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. rejected an invite by Senate Democrats to testify concerning the excessive court docket’s ethics subsequent week.

In a six-page letter, he mentioned chief justice testimony is exceedingly uncommon.

Instead, he detailed the excessive court docket’s ethics requirements, saying the court docket has typically adopted the Judicial Conferences’ Code of Ethics which are binding on decrease courts — however not the Supreme Court — since 1991.

“The Justices, like other federal judges, consult a wide variety of authorities to address specific ethical issues. They may turn to judicial opinions, treatises, scholarly articles, disciplinary decisions, and the historical practice of the Court and the federal judiciary. They may also seek advice from the Court’s Legal Office and from their colleagues,” he wrote.

He mentioned they file monetary disclosures which are reviewed by the Judicial Conference monetary committee, and in addition observe what decrease courts do with recusals. Though, he famous it’s a bit versatile given the composition of the excessive court docket.

“A recusal consideration uniquely present for Justices is the impairment of a full court in the event that one or more members withdraws from a case. Lower courts can freely substitute one district or circuit judge for another,” the chief justice wrote.

He additionally mentioned the justices’ safety has confronted elevated threats. He mentioned that at instances they don't disclose justices’ journey for safety causes.

“Recent episodes confirm that such dangers are not merely hypothetical,” he added, presumably referring to attempted-murder fees being introduced towards a pro-choice activist accused of touring to the house of Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh final yr after leaked information that the excessive court docket was getting ready to undo the federal proper to abortion.

Sen. Richard J. Durbin, Illinois Democrat and Judiciary Committee chairman, despatched a letter to Justice Roberts final week, asking him — or one other justice he designates — to affix a listening to set for May 2 about laws to ascertain a code of conduct for the excessive court docket.

The similar committee additionally despatched Justice Roberts a letter earlier this month asking him to probe Justice Clarence Thomas’ presents and journey after a ProPublica report that he accepted lavish journeys from GOP donor Harlan Crow.

Justice Thomas was compelled to defend his greater than 25-year relationship with Mr. Crow, saying the court docket signed off on their households’ holidays collectively.

“Harlan and Kathy Crow are among our dearest friends, and we have been friends for over 25 years. As friends do, we have joined them on a number of family trips during the more than a quarter-century we have known them,” Justice Thomas mentioned in a press release launched Friday by the Supreme Court.

He added, “Early in my tenure at the court, I sought guidance from my colleagues and others in the judiciary and was advised that this sort of personal hospitality from close personal friends, who did not have business before the court, was not reportable.”

In March, the Judicial Conference adopted new guidelines requiring federal judges — together with Supreme Court justices — to reveal presents and journeys paid for by third events.

The ProPublica article mentioned Justice Thomas didn't disclose his previous luxurious holidays, together with a visit to Indonesia that value an estimated $500,000.

The allegations prompted liberals to concern renewed requires Justice Thomas to resign. He has been a prime goal of the left since his affirmation hearings in 1991.


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