On Friday, August 30, 2024, Jim Kohlberg, a businessman and philanthropist, published an article on Fortune.com announcing his commitment to donating $30 million to reform the Supreme Court.
In the article, Kohlberg expressed concerns about the increasing partisanship and perceived lack of ethics and impartiality within the highest court in the country. He cited issues such as undisclosed gifts to Justice Clarence Thomas and the court’s failure to adhere to the same ethics standards as other judges. Kohlberg also took issue with recent high-profile rulings like those undoing Roe v. Wade and weakening voting rights protections.
Kohlberg stated that the Brennan Center for Justice would receive the $30 million fund to push for two key reforms – imposing term limits on Supreme Court justices and creating an enforceable code of ethics requiring recusal in conflicts of interest. He argued such changes are necessary to make the Court more accountable to the American public.
Kohlberg contended that over the past decade, the six conservative justices that comprise the Court’s slim majority have favored powerful corporate and ideological interests over ordinary citizens. He charged they exploit legal theories like originalism and textualism to mask the political nature of their rulings. Furthermore, Kohlberg asserted each justice swore to respect legal precedent during their Senate confirmation hearings but frequently disregarded that pledge.
While expressing frustration with recent Court decisions impacting money in politics, voting rights, and abortion access, Kohlberg maintained the reforms he advocates are not meant to benefit either major political party. He emphasized the importance of the judiciary upholding its critical role in safeguarding foundational democratic values like fair elections and equal treatment under the law.
In concluding his article, Kohlberg warned that inaction could allow the Court to reverse decades of progress on issues of fairness and social justice. He called on citizens to take action through funding and applying political pressure, aiming to counterbalance the ongoing influence of the conservative Federalist Society over the judicial confirmation process.
Source: Fortune.com
