An upside-down flag, adopted by Trump supporters contesting the Biden victory, flew over the justice’s front lawn as the Supreme Court was considering an election case.

After the 2020 presidential election, as some Trump supporters falsely claimed that President Biden had stolen the office, many of them displayed a startling symbol outside their homes, on their cars and in online posts: an upside-down American flag.

One of the homes flying an inverted flag during that time was the residence of Supreme Court Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr., in Alexandria, Va., according to photographs and interviews with neighbors.

The upside-down flag was aloft on Jan. 17, 2021, the images showed. President Donald J. Trump’s supporters, including some brandishing the same symbol, had rioted at the Capitol a little over a week before. Mr. Biden’s inauguration was three days away. Alarmed neighbors snapped photographs, some of which were recently obtained by The New York Times. Word of the flag filtered back to the court, people who worked there said in interviews.

“I had no involvement whatsoever in the flying of the flag,” Justice Alito said in an emailed statement to The Times. “It was briefly placed by Mrs. Alito in response to a neighbor’s use of objectionable and personally insulting language on yard signs.”

Judicial experts said in interviews that the flag was a clear violation of ethics rules, which seek to avoid even the appearance of bias, and could sow doubt about Justice Alito’s impartiality in cases related to the election and the Capitol riot.

Non-paywall link

  • givesomefucks@lemmy.world
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    6 months ago

    This is why it’s so fucking insane Dems keep appointing “moderates” to the SC…

    Republicans are putting literal cult members, rapists, and insurrectionists on there.

    And the best we get is someone who will legitimately be non biased (except for rich people, both parties pick justices biased towards the wealthy).

  • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
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    6 months ago

    The only thing even remotely surprising about that is that he threw his wife under the bus. And I’m only slightly surprised that he did that rather than just come out and admit it proudly.

  • BossDj@lemm.ee
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    6 months ago

    I’m remembering some FBI employees who were fired due to having “partisan” opinions about Trump

    • grue@lemmy.world
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      6 months ago

      Imagine thinking disliking a criminal rapist traitor is “partisan.”

        • grue@lemmy.world
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          6 months ago

          Just in case it wasn’t clear, I was criticizing the traitors who did the firings, not you.

  • ganksy@lemmy.world
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    6 months ago

    Zero surprise but the blatant dedication to fascism of the conservative justices scares the shit out of me.

    • spongebue@lemmy.world
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      6 months ago

      “we” includes the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. I’d love to see it, but…

      • Phegan@lemmy.world
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        6 months ago

        Maybe I am incorrect, but you only need the Senate to confirm a new justice.

        Do you need the house to change the number of justices, I was under the impression you could do it with just the Senate and president

        • spongebue@lemmy.world
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          6 months ago

          https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/artIII-S1-8-3/ALDE_00013559/

          In 1869, under a new presidential administration, Congress expanded the Court to include nine Justices.11 The 1869 legislation was the last time Congress changed the size of the Supreme Court.

          That was how we went up to nine justices. I assume “Congress” to mean both houses, otherwise they presumably would’ve said which house. But admittedly I haven’t dug into the logistics of that particular action

  • MeaanBeaan@lemmy.world
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    6 months ago

    Yes, this, of all things, is the one thing sowing doubt in Justice Alito’s impartiality. Before this he’s been an absolute model of impartiality. No one has ever been more impartial.

  • BigMacHole@lemm.ee
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    6 months ago

    Oh no! An impartial Justice! It’s a good thing we have CLEARLY ENFORCEABLE RULES against the Highest Court in the Land making Judgements not based on Law but based on Bias!

    • BossDj@lemm.ee
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      6 months ago

      1-I think you’re confused what impartial means

      2-The rules of ethics are not enforceable. The justices are to self-manage and recuse themselves in such situations

      • grue@lemmy.world
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        6 months ago

        The justices are to self-manage and recuse themselves in such situations

        The real trouble is, this isn’t even just a “situation.” “Stop the steal” is based on a fundamental opposition to the rule of law, which is wholly incompatible with being a judge – let alone a Supreme Court Justice – at all.