The Supreme Court officially has a code of ethics.

Playing by the Rules

The Story

The Supreme Court officially has a code of ethics.

It didn’t have one?

Up until yesterday, it was the only federal judiciary court that didn’t. Reports earlier this year sparked scrutiny of the high court, after revealing Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito accepted luxury trips from GOP megadonors and conservative activists. Reports about how Justice Sonia Sotomayor used taxpayer-paid staff to secure book sales also raised eyebrows. Cue the Senate Judiciary Committee’s investigation into the Supreme Court's ethics practices. Now, SCOTUS says the code of ethics addresses the “misunderstanding” that the justices “regard themselves as unrestricted by any ethics rules.”

What’s in it?

The nine-page code outlines five rules. Among them: the justices can't use their title or prestige to “advance the private interests of the Justice or others.” The justices also have to keep their relationships — like family and financial — from influencing their “conduct or judgment.” In cases when “impartiality might reasonably be questioned,” the justices must recuse themselves. Still, some experts say the new code of ethics doesn't go far enough.

Why?

The rules aren't necessarily new, as judges in lower courts already follow them. It's also unclear who'd hold the high court accountable and investigate ethics lapses. Meanwhile, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) says the rules “fall short.” He says he'll continue to review the code to see if it meets the Senate Judiciary Committee's standards. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), a member of the committee, reportedly said the only thing that'd make Senate Dems happy is “if every conservative justice resigned en masse.”

theSkimm

Before SCOTUS returned for its new term, a poll found public trust and approval of the court standing near record lows. Without any clarity on how the justices will be held accountable, some say the new code of conduct could be more about the optics.

What’s looking like a game of Tetris…

The UK Cabinet. Yesterday, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak appointed former prime minister David Cameron as foreign secretary. The move comes amid some reshuffling on Downing Street. Sunak handed former Home Secretary Suella Braverman the pink slip after she called pro-Palestinian demonstrations “hate marches” and labeled homelessness a “lifestyle choice.” He tapped Foreign Secretary James Cleverly to take her job. Now, Cameron is back in government after resigning as PM following the UK's vote to leave the EU. Cameron said he’s “delighted to accept” Sunak’s offer. Critics say this could be a sign that Sunak is shifting the government to be more moderate, as he removes more conservative members of his cabinet.

Who’s keeping their job…

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Yesterday, eight House Republicans joined all House Democrats in blocking a resolution to impeach Mayorkas. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) introduced the measure in response to Mayorkas’s handling of the US-Mexico border, which has seen a record number of migrant crossings this year. However, the House referred the resolution to the Homeland Security Committee, which has been investigating Mayorkas. The Department of Homeland Security spoke out against Greene and said Congress should “stop wasting time.”

What doesn’t mix well with red…

Silver. Yesterday, a study found that some retail period pants might contain unsafe levels of silver. Retailers typically use silver as an antimicrobial agent to help with smell and hygiene. But it can come at a cost. The FDA has found that nanosilver (tiny silver particles) can kill lactobacillus — the healthy bacteria in vaginas that helps fight off infections. The study comes as menstrual cups and period underwear have become more popular. One retailer, M&S, said it uses “a small amount of silver chloride” to help “combat odor.”

What’s got the government’s attention…

Cognitive decline. New Census Bureau data shows more Americans are saying they're struggling with serious cognitive problems, according to a new report. That includes concentrating, making decisions or remembering. It’s younger Americans, aged 18 to 44, that are driving the trend. As for the cause, researchers are pointing their fingers at long covid. However, more research is needed into why the numbers around cognitive decline are increasing.

…Oh and speaking of America’s wellbeing, a new study found the life expectancy gap between men and women has increased to nearly six years — the widest the gap has been since 1996. It's attributed in part to covid and accidents like drug overdoses or car wrecks.

What goes together like Drake and J Cole, apparently...

Crocs and McDonald’s.

Who’s sitting down for a little chat tonight…

Jay-Z and Gayle King.

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