Supreme Court chief schmoozed with Trump just before travel ban hearing
https://shareblue.com/supreme-court-chief-justice-john-roberts-state-dinner-travel-ban/
Supreme Court chief schmoozed with Trump just before travel ban hearing
While it’s not unusual for Supreme Court justices to attend state dinners, it is unusual for state dinners to be held on the eve of such monumental court cases, making Roberts’ decision to attend a questionable one.
As a guest at the dinner, Roberts was rubbing elbows with the architects of the policy that will be argued in court Wednesday — giving the appearance of potential impropriety, particularly if the court comes down with a ruling in favor of the Trump administration.
An independent and honorable judiciary is indispensable to justice in our society.
A judge should maintain and enforce high standards of conduct and should personally observe those standards, so that the integrity and independence of the judiciary may be preserved,” the Code of Conduct states.
“Adherence to this responsibility helps to maintain public confidence in the impartiality of the judiciary. Conversely, violation of this Code diminishes public confidence in the judiciary and injures our system of government under law.”
Unlike the lower courts, the conservative-leaning Supreme Court has sided with Trump previously and allowed most of his ban to take effect.
While it remains to be seen what will ultimately come of Wednesday’s oral arguments, Roberts’ decision to attend a black-tie affair with the architects of the policy on the eve of its day in court will undoubtedly raise questions about his impartiality — or lack thereof.
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