At least the executive branch and the legislative branch have *some* binding ethics requirements, even if they need serious reforms. The federal judiciary has none. It’s time to change that.

Here's how:

1. The single most important step to a more accountable judicial system is to create an independent ethics commission to create an ethics regime, publicize potential conflicts, police violations and enforce consequences. It’s wild this doesn’t already exist.

2. Federal judges must be required to disclose potential conflicts of interest.

Judges don’t have great track records on this. Look at Justice Thomas, who failed to disclose that his wife worked for the Heritage Foundation. Or Justice Sotamayor, who didn't disclose major gifts.

3. We need to require judges to divest from financial assets that are likely to create conflicts. That should go without saying.

4. Create clear recusal rules.

This isn’t a hypothetical issue: In 2004, Justice Scalia traveled with VP Cheney for a duck-hunting trip while a case involving Cheney was before the Supreme Court. Scalia voted in Cheney’s favor. That can’t happen again.

Fancy robes don’t exempt you from corruption issues. Along with the rest of the government, it is time for the federal judiciary to take ethics seriously.

Read more here: https://www.citizensforethics.org/reports-investigations/crew-reports/reforming-judicial-ethics/