Kagan supports SCOTUS ethics rules amid ongoing scandals

Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan has publicly supported the establishment of an enforcement mechanism for the court's ethics code, which was implemented last year. This code has faced challenges as it relies on the justices to self-regulate their adherence to the rules. Speaking at New York University School of Law, Kagan emphasized the need for such a mechanism to enhance public trust in the judicial system, suggesting that a panel of lower court judges could help filter out baseless complaints against justices. Kagan's remarks come amid ongoing ethics scandals involving members of the Supreme Court, particularly Justice Clarence Thomas, who has faced scrutiny for not disclosing significant financial contributions from wealthy benefactors. These issues have raised concerns about the integrity of the court and its justices, prompting calls for reform. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson has also indicated her support for enforcing ethics rules, questioning why the Supreme Court should be exempt from the binding ethics standards that apply to lower federal courts. This sentiment reflects a growing consensus among some justices that the current self-enforcement model is inadequate. Polling data shows that a significant majority of Americans favor an enforceable code of conduct for Supreme Court justices, with 75% supporting the idea of binding ethics rules. Additionally, there is public interest in reforms such as term limits for justices, indicating a desire for greater accountability and transparency within the Supreme Court.