Since the report, additional allegations of ethical lapses have emerged against Justices Thomas and Samuel Alito, prompting several Democratic lawmakers to propose legislation aimed at imposing stricter ethical standards on the Supreme Court. These proposals include requiring justices to adopt a binding code of conduct and establishing term limits for their lifetime appointments.
Justice Jackson did not address these allegations directly, noting that she would not comment on her colleagues’ interpretation of the rules. Nonetheless, she emphasized the importance of ethical transparency for maintaining public trust in judicial impartiality. “People are entitled to know if you’re accepting gifts as a judge so that they can evaluate whether or not your opinions are impartial,” she said.
A Growing Call for Reform
Justice Jackson’s endorsement of an enforceable code of conduct aligns her with Justice Elena Kagan, who, in July, suggested that the Supreme Court could establish a committee of lower-court judges to review ethics complaints against justices. Justice Kagan acknowledged potential challenges with such a system but maintained that it is a necessary step toward greater accountability.
