Additional Coverage:
- Second flag carried by Jan. 6 rioters displayed outside house owned by Justice Alito, report says (newsbreak.com)
In February 2018, at the U.S. Capitol Building’s Rotunda in Washington, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito Jr. and his spouse Martha-Ann Alito showed their respects to the late Reverend Billy Graham.
Recently, the New York Times unveiled that a flag similar to ones brandished by assailants during the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot was seen outside Justice Samuel Alito’s property. Last summer, an “Appeal to Heaven” flag was hoisted at Alito’s New Jersey beach house, while an inverted American flag, also a rioter symbol, appeared at his residence near Washington shortly after the Capitol turmoil.
The revelation concerning the upside-down American flag led to significant outcry last week, prompting senior Democrats to urge Alito to abstain from participating in cases tied to ex-President Donald Trump.
While Alito has remained silent about the motives behind displaying the “Appeal to Heaven” flag, he attributed the raising of the upside-down American flag to his wife during a disagreement with their neighbors, claiming he was not involved.
Captured in photographs during July and September 2023, the “Appeal to Heaven” flag, bearing a green pine tree on a white background, has ties to the Revolutionary War era but has recently been linked to Christian nationalism and support for Trump, especially among those disputing the 2020 election results through the “Stop the Steal” campaign.
Notably, prominent figures like House Speaker Mike Johnson have also showcased the flag, emphasizing its historical significance despite its contemporary associations.
Justice Alito is currently involved in crucial Supreme Court cases regarding Jan. 6, specifically addressing Trump’s claim to immunity from prosecution related to the 2020 election’s overturning efforts and the applicability of certain charges against riot participants. Moreover, he was part of a unanimous decision against barring Trump from electoral ballots through the Civil War-era “insurrection clause.”
This issue has reignited calls for Alito’s recusal from Trump-related cases due to perceived biases, particularly highlighted by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington’s president, Noah Bookbinder. Despite these controversies, there’s been no indication of Alito’s withdrawal from these cases.
Justice Clarence Thomas similarly faces recusal demands over his wife Virginia Thomas’ involvement in efforts to contest Trump’s 2020 defeat to President Joe Biden.
Amid growing public distrust—reportedly at its nadir in five decades—the Supreme Court recently adopted an ethics code to address concerns over justice impartiality and undisclosed interactions with affluent benefactors, although it lacks enforcement mechanisms.