In his annual report on the Supreme Court, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. took a hands-off approach when addressing the increasing ethical controversies that have engulfed the court.
The Court of Ethics, an independent body tasked with handling allegations of impropriety of justices, is the focus of much of the criticism, and Roberts made no mention of the organization in his 41-page report.
The omission seemed to many observers to be a sign that Roberts is downplaying the sensitivity of the issue. Roberts has previously defended the ethical standards of the court and has declined to take part in the debates.
At the same time, he did not shy away from addressing the court’s role in the justice system. He noted progress the court has made in improving its operations and strengthening its capacity to handle its business.
He cited efforts such as the increases in the number of full-time members of the court staff, the implementation of the electronic filing system, and the expansion of the court’s website.
These activities indicate that Roberts is aware of the court’s challenges and is trying to address them without delving into the court’s more controversial topics. It could also be a signal that he is hoping to avoid the likelihood that the court’s ethical difficulties will become part of an investigation by Congress or a state legislature.
The chief justice went on to praise the work of the court’s justices and staff. He also reaffirmed his commitment to try to maintain an independent judiciary.
Ultimately, it appears that Roberts is attempting to minimize the controversies surrounding the Court of Ethics by not bringing them up in his yearly report. While it may be possible that the chief justice is looking to avoid possible confrontations, it is likely more likely that he is simply looking to maintain the court’s legal integrity and efficiency.