Legal experts say its time for the Supreme Court's ethics code to grow some teeth

Legal experts are lamenting the lack of an enforceable judicial ethics code, with some calling for Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito's recusal, following a New York Times report that a symbol of the “Stop the Steal” movement to reject the 2020 election was flown outside Alito’s home in the wake of the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

Ten leading legal experts told Salon Friday that the conduct — the flying of an upside-down flag, a known symbol of the movement to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, at a justice's home — appears to violate the Supreme Court's own ethics code, adopted last last year, by creating an appearance of bias.

Those experts said it’s far past time for the nine justices who enjoy lifetime appointments to hold themselves to the highest ethical standards. But, they noted, the Supreme Court has shown itself reluctant to do so.

"The situation is out of control," Richard Painter, a former White House ethics lawyer under President George W. Bush who worked with Justice Alito on his 2006 Senate confirmation, told Salon. "This is after the insurrection, so it's really him weighing in, getting involved publicly in a dispute over the insurrection."

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[–] 155 points 2 years ago (29 children)

Every judge appointed by the orange sandwich is illegitimate and needs to be removed

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  • [–] 44 points 2 years ago (9 children)

    Unfortunately, that’s extremely unlikely. The last Supreme Court Justice to be impeached was Samuel Chase in 1805. He was acquitted and continued to serve until his death.

    They remain seated until they choose to step down or die. The average Justice serves for 16 years, but have served for as long as 34 years. Trump fucked a generation in one term.

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  • [–] 6 points 2 years ago (5 children)
  • [–] 15 points 2 years ago (2 children)

    Yes, but the political blowback from both parties would likely not be worth it. Especially because Republicans would immediately add double the amount Biden would, and it would very likely quickly grow into full bore shenanigans.

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  • [–] 34 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (13 children)

    Same goes for the other ones to be nominated by a president who lost the vote for president (Alito and Roberts), and the other likely sex offender whose victim(s) never got a fair hearing or investigation, Clarence Brown.

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  • [–] 72 points 2 years ago (4 children)

    Thomas AND Alito are unquestionably in Donald Von Shitzinpantz's diaper.

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  • [–] 65 points 2 years ago

    Alito's response: "Ha ha, fuck you. I do what I want."

    You can call for America's Mullahs to do things, but they won't do them because they don't have to.

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  • [–] 63 points 2 years ago (3 children)

    In the olden days, if you didn't have a term limit and you were needed to step down from your post you were assassinated.

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  • [+] 13 points 2 years ago (2 children)
  • [–] 41 points 2 years ago

    What a coward. The country can go fuck itself, so just own up to it you pussy. But no no, he's all "my wife did it." So not only can we go fuck ourselves, we're also rock stupid.

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  • [–] 38 points 2 years ago (23 children)

    There's pretty much zero oversight for a supreme court justice, right? I'm kinda surprised he didn't just lynch a few brown and/or gay people in his front yard because doing so would have equal consequence - none.

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  • [–] 12 points 2 years ago (12 children)

    While I get what you mean, they aren't immune to prosecution for acts outside of their role. He would hopefully still get arrested and charged for lynching people. (Hopefully)

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  • [–] 32 points 2 years ago (8 children)

    Tried, convicted, appealed all the way up to his own court, conviction overturned.

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  • [–] 4 points 2 years ago (6 children)

    I mean, his fellow judges might be corrupt enough to do so, but he couldn't sit on the judging panel for that.

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    [–] 36 points 2 years ago

    lol “creating an appearance of bias.”

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  • [–] 28 points 2 years ago (4 children)

    the government has a dress code, but no ethics code.

    fascinating.

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    [–] 19 points 2 years ago (2 children)

    I'm a Law and Order Republican and I'm CONFUSED as to why people are so CONCERNED that the HIGHEST COURT IN THE LAND is Corrupt. WHO CARES?!

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    [–] 10 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (10 children)

    So based on how things have gone so far with the fascist in chief, we can expect no consequences at all, or that he will die of old age before any such consequences can be agreed upon. Sound about right?

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  • [–] 9 points 2 years ago (8 children)
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    [–] 9 points 2 years ago

    Yeah, like people in this country would listen to experts. That's basically admitting you don't know everything already.

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  • [–] 8 points 2 years ago (8 children)

    You know we don't have to wait for the country to fall apart violently. There no shame in just calling it quits and everyone apply for sanctuary at their country of choice all at once.

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