Las Vegas Sun

May 14, 2024

Letter to the editor:

People deserve an ethical court

All the justices of the Supreme Court of the United States should adhere to the admonition, “avoid even the appearance of impropriety,” which is required of all federal judges. Recent revelations about the actions of some justices brings reason to believe that they may be influenced by individuals who have interests other than the wishes of the American public.

The impartiality of the Supreme Court is essential to the equitable functioning of our democratic institutions. Judicial decisions should be based only on the law of the land and the U.S. Constitution. Individual judicial beliefs and biases have no part in judicial decision-making.

Our Supreme Court was corrupted when the president, who pledged to appoint only justices who would overturn the precedent of Roe v. Wade, was allowed to name three such justices. So much for impartiality.

Recusal from decision-making in instances where a justice may have a personal interest in the outcome of the court’s decision has not always happened.

Lavish gifts, personal biases and failure to recuse oneself does not inspire confidence in the impartiality of the court. The court can do better. We the people deserve better.