Internet predicts outcome as House Democrats press John Roberts to probe Supreme Court ethics issues

WASHINGTON, DC: Maryland representative Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez from New York have raised questions about Chief Justice John Roberts' actions regarding potential conflicts of interest among Supreme Court justices.

A letter from the Oversight Democrats addresses undisclosed gifts to Justice Clarence Thomas and flags associated with the "Stop the Steal" effort at Justice Samuel Alito's home.

House Democrats question Chief Justice John Roberts on Supreme Court ethics

Raskin and Ocasio-Cortez credit reports from journalists and congressional committees with uncovering details that suggest an ethics crisis at the Supreme Court.

The letter also highlights Roberts' refusal to meet with lawmakers and questions the court's ability to self-regulate ethical conduct, according to Oversight Democrats' press release.

"This anomalous way of keeping track of ethical transgressions at the Court raises the question of whether the Supreme Court is unable, or perhaps just unwilling, to investigate and police its own conduct to ensure that Justices comply with their statutory and constitutional obligations," Raskin and Ocasio-Cortez wrote to Roberts in the letter. 

"Since you have refused to meet with Congress, we question what steps you are actually taking as either the Chief Justice or the presiding officer of the Judicial Conference to investigate these glaring episodes of political bias and lack of disclosure," it further reads. 

Ethics questions arose over Clarence Thomas' undisclosed trips and Justice Samuel Alito's flag controversy 

The Democratic-led Senate Judiciary Committee recently released documents indicating that Thomas failed to disclose three additional trips paid for by GOP mega-donor Harlan Crow.

House Judiciary Democrats have also called on Roberts to press Alito to recuse himself from certain cases, citing the display of politically-charged flags as a violation of judicial conduct codes.

Alito has claimed that his wife was responsible for the flags, telling Congress he had nothing to do with them flying over his home.

Despite this, Thomas recused himself from a case concerning John Eastman, an attorney involved in former President Donald Trump's false elector scheme, but neither justices have recused themselves from pending cases related to January 6.

Democrats argue case will be heard by 'unbiased judges' and can't rest on 'subjective evaluation'

"The Justices’ dogged refusal to recuse increasingly untenable," the Oversight lawmakers wrote.

"Justice Alito’s and Justice Thomas’s transparently partisan ideological activity calls into question their impartiality with regard to matters currently pending before the Supreme Court," the letter read. 

"We understand that both Justices have refused to recuse themselves from these matters. However, enforcement of the Court’s Code of Conduct, as well as the constitutional and statutory guarantees that cases will be heard by unbiased judges, cannot rest on a Justice’s introspection and subjective evaluation of his own conduct," it added, according to The Hill. 

The letter asks Roberts to detail the actions the court may have taken in response to the reports about both justices.

It references the investigation conducted by the Supreme Court after the draft of the Dobbs opinion, which overturned the federal right to an abortion, was leaked.

"We know that the Supreme Court is capable of conducting a comprehensive factual investigation," Raskin and Ocasio-Cortez wrote.

Internet reacts to Democrats' push for Supreme Court ethics investigation

Internet users gave mixed response to the Democrats' letter seeking an investigation into Supreme Court ethics.

"Democrats aren't in any place to talk about ethics," one user lambasted on X.

"Why would he investigate something he loves?" wrote another on X. Some criticized the court's priorities with one saying, "The Supreme Court is rather busy trying to keep up with all the Democrat bullshit cases against the GOP nominee. They're not going to play into Democrat, partisan bullshit."

Others supported the call for accountability. "Americans need to see that there are consequences for judicial corruption," one wrote while another demanded, "About time, they are held accountable."

Skepticism about the outcome was also evident with comments like, "And Roberts won’t do anything" and "Oh, that should do it. A stern letter."

Despite the varied reactions, some called for more decisive action. "SCOTUS is actively interfering with our upcoming presidential election and you are only writing letters??! HOLD. HEARINGS," one demanded.

Another pointed out, "Congress has subpoena power. Use it." There were also calls for resignation: "Good. Next, Thomas & Alito must Resign."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.