Sure, Supreme Court docket Justice Samuel Alito flew an upside-down flag at his Virginia dwelling shortly after the Jan. 6 riot on the Capitol—extensively understood as a “Cease the Steal” nod amongst Donald Trump’s insurrectionist supporters.
And sure, he flew an “Appeal to Heaven” flag—one other favourite amongst insurrectionists and Christian nationalists—at his New Jersey seashore home.
No, he gained’t be recusing himself from any insurrection-related circumstances earlier than the courtroom, despite the many calls for him to do, as a result of fuck you is why and in addition he did nothing mistaken and in addition it’s his spouse’s fault anyway.
Here’s his letter to Dick Durbin and Sheldon Whitehouse, the main Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee, saying so.
Let’s check out some selection quotes under.
First, he didn’t even know concerning the flag, but additionally, his spouse refused to take away it when he came upon about it by … wanting exterior his window?
The primary incident cited in your letter issues the flying of an upside-down American flag exterior the home in Virginia the place my spouse and I reside. In contemplating whether or not this occasion requires recusal, an unbiased and affordable individual would have in mind the next info. As I’ve said publicly, I had nothing in any way to do with the flying of that flag. I used to be not even conscious of the upside-down flag till it was known as to my consideration. As quickly as I noticed it, I requested my spouse to take it down, however for a number of days, she refused.
Additionally, she was tremendous upset as a result of somebody mentioned a swear at her. And that’s why she needed to sign her help for the tried coup to overthrow an election.
My spouse’s causes for flying the flag usually are not related for current functions, however I notice that she was significantly distressed on the time due, largely, to a really nasty neighborhood dispute through which I had no involvement. A home on the road displayed an indication attacking her personally, and a person who was dwelling in the home on the time trailed her all the way in which down the road and berated her in my presence utilizing foul language, together with what I regard because the vilest epithet that may be addressed to a lady.
Plus, the Structure says she will be able to help an revolt if she desires to, so there.
My spouse is a non-public citizen, and he or she possesses the identical First Modification rights as each different American. She makes her personal selections, and I’ve at all times revered her proper to take action.
See above re spouse’s fault.
The second incident issues a flag bearing the legend “An Enchantment to Heaven” that flew within the yard of our trip dwelling in the summertime of 2023. I recall that my spouse did fly that flag for some time frame, however I don’t bear in mind how lengthy it flew. And what’s most related right here, I had no involvement within the choice to fly that flag.
She simply actually fucking loves flags, OKAY?
My spouse is keen on flying flags. I’m not. My spouse was solely chargeable for having flagpoles put up at our residence and our trip dwelling and has flown all kinds of flags through the years. Along with the American flag, she has flown different patriotic flags (together with a favourite flag thanking veterans), school flags, flags supporting sports activities groups, state and native flags, flags of countries from which the ancestors of relations got here, flags of locations we now have visited, seasonal flags, and spiritual flags. I used to be not acquainted with the “Enchantment to Heaven” flag when my spouse flew it. She could have talked about that it dates again to the American Revolution, and I assumed she was flying it to precise a spiritual and patriotic message.
Regardless that she is tremendous into flags, she had no thought what the flags she was flying really meant—not that there’s something mistaken with flying a flag that represents the will to see America formally changed into a Christian theocracy. Completely regular and constutitional.
I used to be not conscious of any connection between this historic flag and the “Cease the Steal Motion,” and neither was my spouse. She didn’t fly it to affiliate herself with that or some other group, and the usage of an outdated historic flag by a brand new group doesn’t essentially drain that flag of all different meanings.
Once more, see above re spouse’s fault.
As I mentioned in reference to the opposite flag occasion, my spouse is an independently minded non-public citizen. She makes her personal selections, and I honor her proper to take action. Our trip dwelling was bought with cash she inherited from her mother and father and is titled in her title.
In closing, regular, affordable individuals—clearly not Democratic senators or some other American who has dared to query Alito’s means to be neutral—can see that is totes no large so screw you.
I’m assured {that a} affordable one who will not be motivated by political or ideological concerns or a need to have an effect on the end result of Supreme Court docket circumstances would conclude that the occasions recounted above don’t meet the relevant normal for recusal. I’m due to this fact required to reject your request.
You may learn the whole letter under.