This chapter delves into the implications of the Trump immunity case and the separate Capitol rioters obstruction case on federal charges against Trump. It also discusses calls for Justices Alito and Thomas to recuse themselves due to their spouses' ties to the January 6th events, the new Supreme Court code of conduct, and the lack of enforcement mechanisms for ethics violations. The chapter emphasizes the importance of recusal in maintaining the integrity of the judiciary, especially for Supreme Court Justices facing complex decisions amidst a politically charged environment.
Late spring/early summer is always a busy time for the Supreme Court, but this year, it’s not just the controversial decisions that are making news. The justices themselves have been in headlines — for all the wrong reasons. Kara and an expert panel discuss the ethical lapses, refusals the recuse, and of course, the cases themselves — including the big one, over Trump’s claim to “complete and total” immunity.
The panelists are: Judge Nancy Gertner (retired), a lecturer at Harvard Law School and former US District Court judge for the District of Massachusetts who served on the Presidential Commission on the Supreme Court; Kedric Payne, vice president, general counsel, and senior director for ethics at the Campaign Legal Center; and Judge David Tatel (retired), a former judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and author of the new book Vision: A Memoir of Blindness and Justice.
This interview was recorded on Tuesday June 18.
Questions? Comments? Email us at on@voxmedia.com or find Kara on Instagram/Threads as @karaswisher
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