Senate Democrats have announced that Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito’s decision was made after it was revealed that an upside-down American flag was displayed outside his home on January 6, 2021, and in the days before and after President Biden’s inauguration. He has been engaged in a public fight against the government, raising questions about his impartiality.
Alito, one of the Supreme Court’s leading conservatives, faces mounting criticism over the flag as the justices are scheduled to issue two important rulings in the coming weeks related to the January 6 attack. facing.
The longtime judge last week said he has no connection to the upside-down flag, a symbol of distress widely used by the Stop the Steal movement, which claims Trump did not lose the 2020 election. said. The judge said his wife hung him during a dispute with his neighbors, but the episode so enraged Democratic lawmakers that they were dissuaded as the ethics battle continued in court.
“It’s very, very concerning,” said Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii). “Flying the flag upside down means something very specific. It’s not enough to just say, ‘My wife was mad.’ Consider me as vigilant as possible.” ”
Throughout U.S. history, the upside-down flag has been used to indicate distress, such as a shipwrecked ship.
“I never thought he was fair, but it’s also important to appear fair,” Schatz continued. “If he had a Trump flag, I wouldn’t have been so alarmed. ‘Nation in distress’ is a very specific thing that people do to the American flag. It is included in the U.S. flag code and means certain things. He’s not just expressing his political preferences; He is saying something revolutionary. ”
Democrats led by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin (Ill.) have ordered Alito to respond to questions related to Jan. 6, with a focus on an upcoming decision on whether he will be granted immunity from prosecution for former President Trump’s actions. He asked that he recuse himself from any future rulings on the matter. .
But it’s unlikely they can do anything more than that. Durbin said Monday that the Judiciary Committee has no plans to investigate the case or hold a hearing, telling reporters there is “not much to be gained at this point” from the investigation.
The Senate Democratic Whip also noted that impeachment would be the only recourse if Alito did not resign.
“And we’re not quite there yet,” Durbin said.
Nevertheless, the news broke in recent years, particularly over Alito’s majority opinion in the Dobbs decision, which overturned abortion rights at the national level, and reports that Alito had received a report that had long angered Alito. It angered many Democrats who came. gifts and vacation From wealthy Republican donors.
“I think it’s outrageous. I think it’s absolutely outrageous,” said Sen. Debbie Stabenow (Mich.), the No. He added that he was questioning the fairness of the matter.
“Absolutely,” she continued. “I don’t know what to say. I think it’s appalling.”
After it was revealed that Alito and fellow conservative Justice Clarence Thomas received lavish gifts and vacations from wealthy donors and benefactors, Durbin proposed a new code of ethics for judges. He has led the promotion.
Mr. Thomas has also faced criticism for the actions of his wife, Virginia Thomas, and her involvement in efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. He refused to recuse himself from the Jan. 6 case being considered by the court.
Across the aisle, most Republicans line up behind Mr. Alito. Alito has been on the bench for nearly 20 years, serving as a leading voice for conservatives. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) called it the latest “harassment” against conservative jurists dating back to Thomas’ confirmation hearings in 1991, as other senators slammed demands for revocation. did.
“It would be foolish to think it has nothing to do with what’s going on with the flag,” said Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa).
But some Senate Republicans expressed concern at the news. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R.S.C.) told reporters that this was not a wise decision, despite the high tensions surrounding the Alito mansion.
“Apparently emotions are running high in that neighborhood. But no, it’s not a good decision to do that,” Graham said. “He said his wife was insulted and he was furious. I think that’s true, but he’s still a Supreme Court justice and people need to realize that. [at] Take a moment to think about it carefully. ”
Sen. Mike Rounds (R.S.D.) added that he was disappointed in the decision to fly the flag upside down, suggesting the whole situation was strange to him.
“It was really weird for that to happen…just weird,” Lowndes said. “I expect him to be professional enough to not cloud his judgment or ability to make fair decisions.”
“I was [disappointed]. I was,” Lowndes continued. “It’s a shame to me that someone just flew that symbol around like that.”
Others took Mr. Alito’s story at face value, arguing that his wife’s ability to express herself should not be stifled, regardless of Mr. Alito’s role on the court.
“I don’t think judges should express political opinions,” said Sen. John Kennedy (R-Louisiana). “But Justice Alito said nothing to anyone. He didn’t raise the flag, his spouse raised the flag. And he told his spouse what he believed. I don’t think you have to give up your right to say it.”
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