President Joe Biden is set to announce plans to reform the US Supreme Court on Monday, according to a report by Politico citing two sources familiar with the matter. The proposed reforms are expected to include term limits for justices and the establishment of an enforceable code of ethics.
Biden hinted at these reforms earlier this week during an address from the Oval Office, where he emphasized the need for changes to the Supreme Court. In addition to the term limits and ethics code, Biden is anticipated to seek a constitutional amendment to limit immunity for presidents and certain other officeholders. This move follows a recent Supreme Court ruling in July that affirmed broad immunity for presidents from prosecution.
The announcement, scheduled to take place in Texas on Monday, may include specific proposals that could be subject to change, according to Politico.
Justice Elena Kagan has recently become the first Supreme Court member to publicly advocate for strengthening the court’s new ethics code by incorporating enforceable mechanisms. “The thing that can be criticized is, you know, rules usually have enforcement mechanisms attached to them, and this one – this set of rules – does not,” Kagan stated during an annual judicial conference held by the Ninth Circuit. The event was attended by over 150 judges, attorneys, court personnel, and others.
The Supreme Court has been considering the adoption of an ethics code for several years, but the urgency increased following last year’s revelations that Justice Clarence Thomas had not disclosed luxury trips provided by a major Republican donor.
Public confidence in the Supreme Court has significantly declined in recent years. A survey conducted in June by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research revealed that four in ten US adults have little confidence in the justices, and 70% believe that the justices are more likely to be influenced by their own ideology rather than serving as impartial arbiters.
Biden’s forthcoming announcement reflects a response to these concerns, aiming to restore public trust and ensure the integrity of the highest court in the United States.
