Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito's Home Displayed Upside-Down US Flag Post-2020 Election

A symbol of an upside-down American flag was seen outside the home of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito following the 2020 election. This flag is often used by supporters of former President Donald Trump who questioned the validity of Joe Biden's win, as reported by The New York Times.

This discovery may lead to requests for Alito, known for his conservative stance on the court, to step back from certain significant cases this year. These cases involve the election and the violent events at the US Capitol, including the crucial issue of whether Trump can be shielded from federal charges related to election interference.

The Times recently published a photo of an inverted flag at the home of a justice in Alexandria, Virginia on January 17, 2021.

CNN reached out to the Supreme Court for a comment, but a spokeswoman did not respond immediately. CNN has not confirmed the use of the flag independently.

Alito clarified that he had no part in displaying the flag, as stated in an email to the Times. He explained that Mrs. Alito briefly placed it in response to a neighbor's offensive language on yard signs.

The upside-down flag was adopted as a symbol by the "Stop the Steal" movement after the election. Supporters of Trump falsely claimed that Biden's victory was fraudulent. The inverted flag was prominently displayed during the attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.

The Times reported that it is uncertain how long the flag was displayed outside of Alito's home.

This news will bring more attention to the Supreme Court, especially since it is already receiving a lot of backlash. Justice Clarence Thomas has been heavily criticized and urged to step down from election-related cases because his wife, conservative activist Virginia "Ginni" Thomas, admitted to attending Trump's rally before the Capitol attack and backing the White House's attempts to cast doubt on the election results.

Thomas recently spoke at a judicial conference in Alabama and criticized his critics for being "nasty" and spreading "lies."

In response to concerns about travel accepted by Thomas and Alito last fall, the Supreme Court introduced a code of conduct for the first time. This code instructs the justices to avoid engaging in political activities.

James Sample, a professor at Hofstra Law School who specializes in judicial ethics, expressed his concern about a recent gesture made by the court. He stated that there are two possible scenarios, both of which are concerning. The gesture could be seen as petty and beneath the court's dignity, or it could be interpreted as a significant symbol, which poses a real problem.

Sample also mentioned that when considering this gesture alongside previous revelations involving Justice Thomas, it becomes even more important for Congress to implement stronger ethics enforcement measures for the court. He emphasized the need for external oversight, as the court has been reluctant to address ethical issues on its own.

This story has been updated with additional details.

Editor's P/S:

The display of an upside-down American flag outside Justice Alito's home is a disturbing symbol of the ongoing political polarization in the United States. The flag has become a symbol of support for former President Trump and those who question the legitimacy of the 2020 election. It is deeply concerning that a Supreme Court Justice would be associated with such a divisive and anti-democratic symbol. The allegations against Justice Thomas and his wife further raise questions about the impartiality of the Court.

The Supreme Court's recent adoption of a code of conduct is a positive step, but it is unclear whether it will be enough to address the ethical concerns surrounding the Court. Congress should consider implementing stronger ethics enforcement measures to ensure that the Court remains above reproach. The independence and integrity of the judiciary are essential to the functioning of a democratic society, and it is crucial that the Court takes steps to restore public trust.