The code is also specific about recusal if family members, such as spouses, children or grandchildren, have a case before the court or is a lawyer before the court. But the code simply reaffirms the commitment to the disclosure provisions that are in the existing code for all federal judges. But, there is a lot they can do and no enforcement mechanism as to what they are supposed not to do.įor example, the code is quite specific about financial transactions: Justices can make a real estate transaction, as long as it's not before the court.
With the release of the code Monday, the court is trying to be somewhat specific about what justices can and cannot do. In recent weeks, Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Elena Kagan publicly supported calls for an ethics code.
Justice Samuel Alito has also been criticized for failing to disclose a fishing trip with Paul Singer, a big Republican donor with cases before the Supreme Court. Public trust in the court has fallen amid revelations that Justice Clarence Thomas received gifts and travel from Harlan Crow, a Republican donor.
