In a new letter obtained by CNN, Democratic Representatives Jamie Raskin and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have raised concerns about Chief Justice John Roberts’s handling of the scandals surrounding the Supreme Court.
The duo posed five written questions to Roberts regarding his actions as chief justice and presiding officer of the Judicial Conference in investigating ethics scandals involving Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito. They also questioned the standards for recusal decisions, particularly in light of potential conflicts of interest in cases involving former President Donald Trump.
This letter highlights the ongoing tension between Democrats in Congress and the conservative majority on the Supreme Court, with calls for stricter ethics rules persisting for over a year. The wave of ethics scandals surrounding Thomas and Alito has contributed to record-low public approval of the court.
Raskin and Ocasio-Cortez, who both sit on the House Oversight Committee, sent the letter after Roberts declined a meeting request from Democratic senators in May. In their correspondence, they criticized Roberts for not addressing Thomas’s failure to disclose gifts and expensive trips on financial disclosure forms.
Roberts previously cited separation of powers concerns and the importance of judicial independence as reasons for declining to meet with Senate Democrats. Under his leadership, the Supreme Court introduced a new code of conduct aimed at restoring public confidence, but questions remain about enforcement and transparency.
In response to the letter, Alito made it clear that he will not recuse himself from cases related to the 2020 election or the January 6th Capitol riot, despite concerns about his impartiality. Thomas similarly indicated that he would not step back from a crucial case involving Trump’s immunity from prosecution, despite his wife’s involvement in efforts to overturn the election results.
The Supreme Court is currently deliberating on significant cases tied to the 2020 election and the Capitol attack, including Trump’s immunity claim and a challenge to an obstruction charge related to the riot. Both Raskin and Ocasio-Cortez have requested a response from Roberts by July 5th as they continue to probe the ethical challenges facing the high court.
