On Wednesday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer made direct threats to two Supreme Court Justices. “I want to tell you Gorsuch. I want to tell you Kavanaugh. You have released the whirlwind and you will pay the price. You won’t know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions,” Schumer said in front of the Supreme Court.
As legal experts debate if Schumer could face criminal charges for his comments, and as a motion to censure Schumer has been introduced, the Senate Select Committee on Ethics should act. While the committee has faced criticism for their inaction, they have jurisdiction over formal allegations of violations of the Senate Code of Official Conduct and violations of the rules and regulations of the Senate.
It is the duty and authority of the Senate Ethics Committee to investigate allegations of improper conduct which may reflect upon the Senate. The Senate Ethics Manual makes clear that the Senate “may discipline a Member for any misconduct, including conduct or activity which does not directly relate to official duties, when such conduct unfavorably reflects on the institution as a whole.”
Threatening remarks have no place in the U.S. Senate, especially by the leader of the Democrat party. As such, Schumer’s comments reflect unfavorably on the U.S. Senate and the Senate Ethics Committee must review his conduct and determine if disciplinary action is warranted.
