Durbin calls for Justice Alito recusal from Jan. 6 cases over upside-down flag that flew at his home

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) warned Justice Samuel Alito about the 2020 election and the reported display of an upside-down American flag in front of his home on January 6, 2021. In response, they asked the judge to recuse himself from all litigation related to the January 6, 2021 election. The days before and after the attack.

According to the New York Times, an upside-down flag was flown outside Alitos’ home in Alexandria, Virginia, on January 17, 2021, and was likely to remain raised for several days. The judge said in a statement that he had “no involvement whatsoever in raising the flag” and that his wife, Martha Ann, had raised the flag as part of a dispute with a neighbor.

But the news comes as the court is scheduled to rule on two important cases related to January 6, including whether former President Trump has immunity from prosecution. Mr. Durbin said Mr. Alito should stand back during the litigation and not be involved in the ruling.

“Holding an upside-down American flag, a symbol of the so-called ‘Stop the Steal’ movement, clearly gives the impression of bigotry,” Durbin said.

“Justice Alito should immediately recuse himself from cases related to the 2020 election and the January 6 insurrection, including the issue of immunity for former presidents in United States v. Donald Trump, which the Supreme Court is currently considering.” he added.

“The court is in an ethical crisis of its own making, and Judge Alito and the rest of the court should do everything in their power to restore the public’s trust,” Durbin continued, noting that it is important for Congress to ensure the court’s ethics. He said this is another reason to pass a bill that poses a crisis. Code of conduct for judges. “Supreme Court justices should be held to the highest ethical standards, not the lowest.”

The upside-down flag has long been known as an SOS signal, but in recent years it has been increasingly used in the political world, especially on the right after President Trump’s defeat, and has become popular among supporters as a symbol to “stop war.” is gaining momentum among theft. ”

Supreme Court Code of ethics The justices have said they should not make political statements to remain impartial on the issues before the court.

Alito is not the only judge to face questions about whether he should be involved in cases related to January 6th. Justice Clarence Thomas faced calls to recant his wife Virginia and her involvement in the effort to overturn the 2020 election results, but he refused.

It is also the latest in a long line of exchanges between Mr. Alito and Mr. Durbin, the No. 2 Senate Democrat. Mr. Durbin is calling for a new ethics code for judges following the revelations of several cases, spearheaded by Mr. Thomas and Mr. Alito, in which he said: They receive lavish gifts and vacations from wealthy donors and benefactors, among other things.

The court has strongly rejected this possibility, saying Congress has no standing to enforce rules regarding judges.