Justice Amy Coney Barrett, a recent addition to the Supreme Court bench, shared insights into her time on the court and the close examination she has encountered.
According to the Washington Examiner, Barrett addressed an audience at the 7th Circuit Judicial Conference in Wisconsin and engaged in a conversation with Chief Judge Diane S. Sykes. Notably, Sykes was considered by former President Donald Trump as a potential nominee for the Supreme Court.
Speaking of the need for transparency and a “thick skin,” Barrett said: “I’ve been at it for a couple of years now. I’ve acquired a thick skin, and I think that’s what other figures have to do. I think that’s what all judges have to do.”
Justice Barrett reminded listeners of the court’s role in preserving democracy. “Judicial philosophies are not the same as political parties.” Amy Coney Barrett said, emphasizing the distinction.
Justice Barrett contested the idea of the court being a secretive entity, instead urging the public to closely examine its proceedings.
” To say the court’s reasoning is flawed is different from saying the court is acting in a partisan manner,” Barrett said, highlighting the difference between criticism of decisions and questioning the court’s impartiality.”
“Justices and all judges are public figures and public criticism comes with the job,” Barrett added.
The Huffington Post highlighted that Barrett refrained from expressing any viewpoint or addressing the recent demands for the justices to establish a formal code of conduct.
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett did not offer any opinion, or speak directly about, recent calls for the justices to institute an official code of conduct. https://t.co/LtoP4cokfT
— HuffPost Politics (@HuffPostPol) August 29, 2023
Barrett’s remarks in the public arena come after reports that her fellow Justice Elena Kagan endorsed a fresh ethics code for the Supreme Court. Nonetheless, Kagan highlighted that there was no consensus among the justices on the appropriate course of action.
During an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Justice Alito asserted that Congress does not possess the power to impose an ethics code on the Supreme Court.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell was in attendance during this discussion, and he appeared content with Barrett’s proactive position on the issue.
Providing his personal viewpoint, McConnell offered his own observations regarding the functioning of the court. “This is not a political institution,” Mitch McConnell asserted, aligning his stance with Barrett’s perspective on the essence of the Supreme Court.
McConnell confirmed that the U.S. Supreme Court consists of dedicated individuals who are focused on preserving the Constitution and the values of justice and democracy, rather than being mere ‘partisan hacks.’
