Supreme Court Justice Calls for Way to Enforce New Ethics Code

Justice Elena Kagan said there should be a method to enforce the code, adopted by justices in 2023.

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan in Sacramento, Calif., on July 25, 2024. Rich Pedroncelli/AP Photo

Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan on July 25 called for enforcement of an ethics code adopted in 2023 by justices.

All nine Supreme Court justices in 2023 agreed to adopt the court’s first-ever ethics code. The set of rules touches on when justices should recuse from cases and how justices should decide on outside activities. It also emphasizes that justices should not engage in political activity such as making speeches for political organizations or candidates.