Supreme Court Adopts Code of Ethics Amid Scrutiny From Democrats

The justices, who have hinted at internal deliberations over an ethics code, last met on Nov. 9 in their private conference room at the court.

U.S. Supreme Court Justices pose for their official portrait at the Supreme Court in Washington on Oct. 7, 2022. Alex Wong/Getty Images

The U.S. Supreme Court has released its first-ever code of conduct as it faces greater scrutiny from Senate Democrats and calls for ethics reform.

Released on Nov. 13, the code touches on a long list of areas related to judicial ethics, including guidelines for recusal and disqualification in proceedings. Criteria surrounding financial, fiduciary, and other external activities were provided as well.