The conservative Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito of the United States has rejected a request made by Democratic lawmakers to recuse himself from two cases currently being heard by the Supreme Court involving the 2020 election and the January 6th Capitol event.
Previously, reports emerged that flags related to the “Stop the Steal” movement were flying outside Alito’s home, sparking criticism from Democratic lawmakers who demanded that Alito recuse himself from election-related cases.
In a letter written to Democratic members of the House and Senate on Wednesday, Alito stated that his wife, Martha-Ann Alito, was responsible for the upside-down display of an American flag outside their home in 2021 and a “Appeal to Heaven” flag hung at their New Jersey shore house last year.
Alito expressed that neither of these events warranted his recusal from the two cases currently before the Supreme Court, stating, “Therefore, I feel obliged to deny your request for recusal.”
Alito explained that he only became aware of the upside-down flag flying above his house when it was brought to his attention. In his letter, he wrote, “As soon as I saw it, I asked my wife to take it down, but she refused for several days.”
Former President Trump posted on his “Truth Social” platform, congratulating Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito for showing wisdom, courage, and resolve in refusing to back down on any matter related to January 6th.
He added, “All American judges, justices, and leaders should have this courage – our country will progress much more than it is now, led by the worst president in American history, the dishonest Joe Biden.”
In mid-May, Democratic Senator Dick Durbin, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, urged Alito to recuse himself from two cases: one involving Trump’s attempt to overturn the 2020 election results through federal criminal charges, and the other involving a Pennsylvania man facing federal charges for obstructing official proceedings related to the January 6th Capitol event.
Other Democratic figures, including Senators Richard Blumenthal and Representatives Hank Johnson and Adam Schiff, also issued similar calls.
The New York Times reported that less than two weeks after the January 6 Capitol event, an upside-down American flag was seen outside Alito’s home in Alexandria, Virginia. The report also mentioned that last summer, a “Appeal to Heaven” flag was hung outside Alito’s shore house in New Jersey.
The display of an upside-down American flag and the hanging of an “Appeal to Heaven” flag are seen as symbols of protest by Trump supporters. Both flags were carried by Trump supporters who stormed the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. At that time, Trump and his supporters alleged widespread voter fraud and questioned the fairness of the election, claiming that Biden had stolen the election.