Clarence Thomas makes most substantial public comments since ethics probe

• The Supreme Court later adopted a code of conduct for justices.

Zoom in: Thomas' remarks at the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals conference are the most substantial he has made since the ethics investigation, per the New York Times.

• "There's certainly been a lot of negativity in our lives, my wife and I, over the last few years, but we choose not to focus on it," Thomas said.
• He didn't address ethics questions about him at the judicial conference, CNN reported.

Catch up quick: Critics have also spotlighted Thomas' wife Ginni Thomas for trying to reverse 2020 presidential election results and Justice Thomas for not recusing himself from Supreme Court decisions about the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

• Ginni Thomas has admitted to attending former President Trump's rally preceding the riot.
• Still, Justice Thomas refused to recuse himself from the appeal over Trump's claim to be immune from criminal charges for alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election's outcome.

Go deeper:

• Ginni Thomas says she wanted Trump admin to challenge 2020 election "until the truth could be found out"
• Thomas breaks silence as criticism swirls over lavish donor-funded trips