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Jimmy Williams
Justice Samuel Alito has declined to step aside from Supreme Court cases involving former President Donald Trump and January 6 defendants. This decision comes amidst controversy over flags that were displayed at his homes.
In letters addressed to members of Congress on Wednesday, Alito clarified that his wife was responsible for flying an upside-down flag over their home in 2021 and an “Appeal to Heaven” flag at their New Jersey beach house last year. He asserted that these incidents do not justify his recusal.
“I am therefore duty-bound to reject your recusal request,” Alito stated in his letters.
The Supreme Court is currently deliberating on two significant cases related to the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack by Trump supporters. These cases involve charges against the rioters and the question of whether Trump has immunity from prosecution for election interference.
Alito has previously dismissed similar recusal requests from Democrats on other matters.
According to The New York Times, an inverted American flag was seen at Alito’s Alexandria, Virginia, home less than two weeks after the Capitol attack. Additionally, an “Appeal to Heaven” flag was flown outside his New Jersey beach house last summer. Both flags were associated with the rioters who stormed the Capitol, echoing Trump’s false claims of election fraud.
Alito explained that he was unaware of the upside-down flag until it was brought to his attention. “As soon as I saw it, I asked my wife to take it down, but for several days, she refused,” he wrote in nearly identical letters to Democratic members of the House and Senate.
Justice Alito’s refusal to recuse himself ensures that he will continue to participate in decisions regarding key cases linked to the January 6 events and former President Trump.
