Roberts Shifts Focus in Annual Report, Forgoes Supreme Court Ethics Troubles

In the wake of a two-year investigation by the Supreme Court, Chief Justice John Roberts has released his annual report regarding the court’s ethical standards. Although the investigation found that the Supreme Court has failed to adhere to its ethical standards on multiple occasions, Roberts sidestepped any controversy in the report, instead focusing on the court’s successes and positive strides. In the report, Roberts praised the court for its dedication to the principle of equal justice under the law, and for adhering to its high standards over the past year. He noted that the judges spent considerable time attending forums, giving speeches, and engaging in scholarly symposia, all in an effort to further the rule of law and the respect for legal tradition. Roberts also highlighted the court’s initiatives such as the adoption of electronic filing systems and its commitment to allow the public greater access to its proceedings and decisions. He also praised the judges for limiting distractions in the courtroom and encouraged them to continue to do so in the future. However, Roberts completely avoided the issue of the court’s ethical lapses, including the investigations into Justice Kavanaugh and Justice Alito. Roberts did not discuss any explanations for or penalties for their behavior. He instead made a point to emphasize that the court’s ethics “are of paramount importance and all members should strive to maintain the highest standards.” The report serves as a reminder that although the Supreme Court has not always acted optimally, there are still some bright spots to highlight and that Chief Justice Roberts is not afraid to acknowledge them. His steadfast commitment to the court’s standards and his decision not to engage in any political posturing even in the face of potentially damning information provides hope that the Supreme Court will learn from its mistakes and begin to adhere more closely to its high ethical standards.