Former national security adviser John Bolton on Wednesday fiercely defended Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito from criticism following reports that two flags linked to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol were briefly flown outside his home.
Asked by CNN’s Wolf Blitzer if his recent reporting on the flag raised concerns about whether he would be able to serve impartially as a Supreme Court justice, Bolton told him “absolutely not.”
“I think it’s outrageous, outrageous, unacceptable for people to take away the American Revolutionary War flag and say it’s unacceptable to fly that flag now because some of the protesters on January 6th did so. I want to hear from Democrats. The politicians of the party have said that very clearly,” Bolton added. Bolton has been a frequent critic of former President Trump and the risk he poses to national security.
According to the New York Times, in July and September 2023, around the same time that the high-profile Jan. 6 case made its way to the Supreme Court, New Jersey Sen. An “Appeal to Heaven” flag was seen flying in the sky. The flag’s origins date back to the Revolutionary War, but today it is associated with Christian nationalism and the “Stop the Steal” movement.
This flag was also flown by rioters at the Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Wednesday’s report came days after the newspaper reported that an upside-down American flag had flown outside Alito’s Virginia home in January 2021, around the time that rioters stormed the Capitol as Congress was certifying Joe Biden’s victory over former President Trump in the 2020 presidential election.
The upside-down flag is also associated with the “Stop the Steal” movement, which was born out of false claims of election fraud in 2020. Alito said his wife raised the flag during an argument with a neighbor, but did not deny that it was politically connected.
“The people on January 6th raised a lot of flags,” Bolton said, before giving several examples. “They have no right or ability to confiscate a patriotic symbol of the United States and have others say it’s theirs and condemn Sam Alito or anyone else for flying that flag.”
“I think what’s unacceptable is the rush to find any reason to criticize Alito,” Bolton added.
Blitzer repeatedly pressed Bolton about the fact that the flag now has political meaning for certain groups, and noted that supporters of the so-called “Stop the Steal” movement have welcomed reports about the flag at Alito’s home.
Mr. Bolton became increasingly agitated, insisting that the flag had no political meaning, and scolding those who claimed otherwise, saying, “There is no meaning. That’s wrong. That’s wrong.” “Well, I “There is no political meaning to this,” he added.
“It’s controversial to liberals who support Sam Alito. It’s not controversial to me, and like everyone I know in this country, I’m against Donald Trump,” Bolton said. Told.
Bolton said Alito “absolutely should not recuse himself” from the case, which is scheduled to be heard by the Supreme Court on Jan. 6.
“There is no indication that there was any intent to express support for January 6th. And to those who are using this tactic against Alito now, I say it will come back to haunt them,” he said.
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