It is past time congress enacted ethics rules on SCOTUS. Enactment and enforcement is what is needed. The fact they’ve been allowed to get away with so much is now seeping into their rulings on many of these cases. They are acting essentially as super legislators. That must come to a halt.
Reform is critical! I'm definitely in favor of strict, mandatory ethical rules with consequences for not following them. I'm conflicted over expanding the size of the Court. I would favor looking at impeachment certainly of Thomas and Alito, but also the 3 Trump additions based on the confirmation hearing statements vs their votes on decisions.
" I would favor looking at impeachment [of] the 3 Trump additions based on the confirmation hearing statements vs their votes on decisions."
I also have been wondering about exactly that! Weren't they sworn in at their confirmation hearings? Didn't they repeatedly perjure themselves in front of Congress (on abortion, voting rights etc.)? And if so, isn't there some remedy for that?
(Sorry if I didn't get that quite right. I'm Canadian.)
Absolutely! It is quite clear that the Roberts Court has set up with Trump a power grab away from elected representatives to lifetime appointees. We are the People - we are the government and those who we have bestowed the honor of representing us are merely public servants as are the supreme court and the president. All the supreme court Trump appointees should be impeached for corruption, lying to Congress, and attempting to skew the power structure of the US government without the consent of the people.
Well written. I totally agree with the senator. I haven’t seen however, that any high profile individuals have called out Roberts, Thomas, Alito, Gorsuch and Kavanaugh for what they are. A disgrace to the SC. And that Thomas is corrupt on top of his extremist views.
SCOTUS says that Congress putting limits on the Executive violates the separation of powers. Yet somehow SCOTUS putting limits on Congress does not. Looks like pretzel logic to me.
Thank you for a clear view of this disaster of a supreme court, with the exception of a few clear-headed supremes. They should have term limits, and they need to expand the court. So glad to have you as our Senator from RI!
When the DOJ lost the “presumption of order” federal judges began questioning DOJ’s claims.The Supreme Court has lost its “presumption of order”. There is plenty Congress could do about it. But, a GOP controlled House and Senate hasn’t and won’t. Voters could change that in November. A Congress not controlled by Trump (Democrats, Independents and a few Republicans willing to uphold their oaths of office) could hold congressional investigative hearings, establish a code of ethics for Justices, impeach or discipline Justices who accept bribes, not allow Justices to meet with, attend or accept payments of any kind for speaking at conventions or private meetings, establish term limits, expand the Court to one Justice per federal judicial district, etc.
The current GOP Congress won’t do any of this. So, it is up to us to start this process in November.
We love Senator Whitehouse in this household. He’s the whole package; smart, serious and a sense of humor, the perfect counterpoint to our disastrous current administration. His analysis of the recent SCOTUS decision is spot on.
I am not sure of the feasibility of this - but Leigh McGowan suggested a change that would thwart their "legislating from the bench". She proposed increasing the SC to "27" justices and each case that made its way to SCOTUS would get a random drawing of "9" of the "27" justices. If we are going to change, I support all reasonable options being on the table for discussion.
The Supreme Court should be expanded, maybe to 13 or even more, and term limits set. To accomplish this, I believe we will need to end the filibuster. If the Dems get the trifecta in 2029, they can pass campaign finance reform, end subsidies to fossil fuels, and more.
Executive political control is allowed to run amok. Polluters and thieves are given free passes and get out of jail cards. There will need to be enormous cleaning done when this Administration becomes history, a very odious history.
It is past time congress enacted ethics rules on SCOTUS. Enactment and enforcement is what is needed. The fact they’ve been allowed to get away with so much is now seeping into their rulings on many of these cases. They are acting essentially as super legislators. That must come to a halt.
Reform is critical! I'm definitely in favor of strict, mandatory ethical rules with consequences for not following them. I'm conflicted over expanding the size of the Court. I would favor looking at impeachment certainly of Thomas and Alito, but also the 3 Trump additions based on the confirmation hearing statements vs their votes on decisions.
" I would favor looking at impeachment [of] the 3 Trump additions based on the confirmation hearing statements vs their votes on decisions."
I also have been wondering about exactly that! Weren't they sworn in at their confirmation hearings? Didn't they repeatedly perjure themselves in front of Congress (on abortion, voting rights etc.)? And if so, isn't there some remedy for that?
(Sorry if I didn't get that quite right. I'm Canadian.)
Do not forget Thomas, Roberts, and Alito, whose financial corrupt is staggering.
Absolutely! It is quite clear that the Roberts Court has set up with Trump a power grab away from elected representatives to lifetime appointees. We are the People - we are the government and those who we have bestowed the honor of representing us are merely public servants as are the supreme court and the president. All the supreme court Trump appointees should be impeached for corruption, lying to Congress, and attempting to skew the power structure of the US government without the consent of the people.
Really good point!
Well written. I totally agree with the senator. I haven’t seen however, that any high profile individuals have called out Roberts, Thomas, Alito, Gorsuch and Kavanaugh for what they are. A disgrace to the SC. And that Thomas is corrupt on top of his extremist views.
SCOTUS says that Congress putting limits on the Executive violates the separation of powers. Yet somehow SCOTUS putting limits on Congress does not. Looks like pretzel logic to me.
This sounds like a very significant point not highlighted loud enough.
Perfectly stated.
Senator Whitehouse needs to be the next head of the Judiciary Committee.
As Norm Eisen and Jen Rubin have stated, it's time to reduce the court to its original appellate jurisdiction.
The court is in runaway mode, or at least the far right is. We can hope that after the November election Congress will find a way to apply the brakes.
Thank you Senator for these very wise words.
Thank you for a clear view of this disaster of a supreme court, with the exception of a few clear-headed supremes. They should have term limits, and they need to expand the court. So glad to have you as our Senator from RI!
When the DOJ lost the “presumption of order” federal judges began questioning DOJ’s claims.The Supreme Court has lost its “presumption of order”. There is plenty Congress could do about it. But, a GOP controlled House and Senate hasn’t and won’t. Voters could change that in November. A Congress not controlled by Trump (Democrats, Independents and a few Republicans willing to uphold their oaths of office) could hold congressional investigative hearings, establish a code of ethics for Justices, impeach or discipline Justices who accept bribes, not allow Justices to meet with, attend or accept payments of any kind for speaking at conventions or private meetings, establish term limits, expand the Court to one Justice per federal judicial district, etc.
The current GOP Congress won’t do any of this. So, it is up to us to start this process in November.
“offal” office, exactly!
As The World Turns now As the World Burns.
Independence of these agencies essential to any doctrine of fairness!
So well said. I like the up front disdain he shows for this court and the Republicans.
We love Senator Whitehouse in this household. He’s the whole package; smart, serious and a sense of humor, the perfect counterpoint to our disastrous current administration. His analysis of the recent SCOTUS decision is spot on.
I am not sure of the feasibility of this - but Leigh McGowan suggested a change that would thwart their "legislating from the bench". She proposed increasing the SC to "27" justices and each case that made its way to SCOTUS would get a random drawing of "9" of the "27" justices. If we are going to change, I support all reasonable options being on the table for discussion.
The Supreme Court should be expanded, maybe to 13 or even more, and term limits set. To accomplish this, I believe we will need to end the filibuster. If the Dems get the trifecta in 2029, they can pass campaign finance reform, end subsidies to fossil fuels, and more.
Executive political control is allowed to run amok. Polluters and thieves are given free passes and get out of jail cards. There will need to be enormous cleaning done when this Administration becomes history, a very odious history.