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Amid politically charged flag flying, secret recordings, and eyebrow-raising financial disclosures, there’s something fishy about the behavior of the nation’s top judges. Are they ruining faith in the Supreme Court? Or is that the partisan reaction to the decisions coming from on high? Plus, Michelle weighs in on the beef of the summer. (A full transcript of this audio essay will be available within 24 hours of publication in the audio player above.)

Persons: Michelle Cottle, Carlos Lozada, Lydia Polgreen, Jesse Wegman, Michelle Organizations: Times

☆ Opinion | What Exactly Did Justice Alito Say That Was Wrong?
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-13 | by ( Marc O. Degirolami | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Justice Samuel Alito has been widely criticized this week for remarks he made to a self-described documentary filmmaker who on two occasions engaged him at social events, secretly taped him under false pretenses and released the recordings. What did he say that was wrong? None of his remarks was improper for a judge to make. Furthermore, he did not even say anything especially controversial — or at least nothing that would be controversial in a less polarized moment. But he said that solving polarization is not something that the Supreme Court can do, because “we have a very defined role, and we need to do what we’re supposed to do.” He added: “That is way above us.”

Persons: Samuel Alito, Alito, ”

☆ Opinion | Ethics Questions Raised by Secret Recordings of Justices
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-12 | by ( ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

She is at a private event, not open to journalists. She baits them with leading questions, trying to trap them into agreeing with her stated opinions. One reasonable interpretation is that Justice Alito was agreeing merely to be polite. Lauren Windsor is no brave agent working to trap a drug gang leader, or working in the resistance behind enemy lines. Most decent people of all political persuasions will be disgusted by her behavior and sympathize with the justices who were the victims of her dishonesty.

Persons: Alito, Lauren Windsor, Samuel Alito, John Roberts Organizations: Historical Society

☆ Opinion: The complicated ethics of the secret Alito recording
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-12 | by ( Opinion David Zurawik | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —As a journalist and professor who teaches media ethics, I have long been against the kind of undercover secret recording activist Lauren Windsor made of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito and his wife, as well as Chief Justice John Roberts. Join us on Twitter and FacebookWhat Windsor discovered does not tell me as much as ProPublica and The New York Times have about the secrecy and shocking lack of ethics in the Supreme Court. But she did make me think Alito is even farther to the religious right than I thought. But while the approach was similar, Maryland has a law against secret recordings; two-person consent is required. But she broke no law in taking us behind closed doors and a little further into the mind of Alito.

Persons: David Zurawik, Lauren Windsor, Samuel Alito, John Roberts, David Zurawik Mich Rouse, Alito, “, ” Alito, Windsor, James O’Keefe, Hannah Giles, ”, ethicist, Donald Trump Organizations: Goucher College, Baltimore Sun, CNN, Supreme, Project Veritas, ACORN, Journalists, Capitol, New York Times, Windsor, Catholic, The New York Times, Twitter, Facebook, Veritas Locations: Windsor, there’s, Baltimore, Maryland, Washington, DC

☆ The secret recordings of Alito and Roberts will likely backfire
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-11 | by ( Erin Snodgrass | Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Read previewEarly Monday, Rolling Stone reported that a documentary filmmaker posing as a Catholic conservative created secret audio recordings of conversations with Supreme Court Justices John Roberts and Samuel Alito at an exclusive charity gala. Advertisement"One side or the other is going to win," Alito told Windsor at the event, according to both outlets. Windsor told The Times that making the secret recordings was the only way she believed she could get answers to her questions. "I mean, whether or not Justice Alito thinks that the country's political or tribal divisions are likely to be solved anytime soon doesn't tell us very much." Representatives for the Supreme Court did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Business Insider.

Persons: —, Rolling Stone, John Roberts, Samuel Alito, Lauren Windsor's surreptitious, Alito's, Justice Roberts, Alito —, Alito, Windsor, Roberts, That's, Jonathan Adler, Adler Organizations: Service, Business, New York Times, Times, Supreme, Case Western Reserve University, Historical Society Locations: Windsor

☆ In Taped Remarks at Supreme Court Gala, Revealing Glimpses of Roberts and Alito
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-11 | by ( Adam Liptak | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. have long been a jarring study in contrasts. The chief justice is guarded, embodying a cautious and conventional conception of the judicial role. Justice Alito, an eager combatant in the culture wars, tests the limits of that behavior. Their differing approaches were on display in surreptitiously recorded comments at a Supreme Court gala last week. That’s not for lawyers.”

Persons: John G, Roberts Jr, Samuel A, Alito Jr, Justice Alito, Justice Roberts, That’s, ”

☆ The Alitos and Roberts discuss politically sensitive topics in secret recordings by liberal activist
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-11 | by ( Devan Cole | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —A left-wing activist on Monday released secret recordings of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito and his wife, as well as Chief Justice John Roberts, discussing a range of politically sensitive topics. Video Ad Feedback Filmmaker reveals why she secretly recorded Supreme Court Justice Alito and his wife 03:12 - Source: CNNAlito did not respond to questions from CNN about his comments or those of his wife, Martha-Ann. “So they’ll go to hell,” Martha-Ann Alito says in the recording. You come after me, I’m going to give it back to you,” Martha-Ann Alito said. But there will be a way – they will know.”James Duff, the executive director of the Supreme Court Historical Society, slammed the recordings in a statement on Monday.

Persons: Samuel Alito, John Roberts, Alito, ” Alito, “, ”, Lauren Windsor, Stone, Windsor, ” Roberts, Justice Alito, CNN Alito, Martha, Ann, Roberts, Ann Alito, Martha Alito, don’t, ‘, Ann Alito’s, ” “, ” Martha, ” James Duff, ” Duff Organizations: CNN, Monday, Supreme, Society, Windsor, Washington Post, Historical Society Locations: Godliness, Windsor, Washington, Virginia, New Jersey, Martha

☆ Filmmaker reveals why she secretly recorded Supreme Court Justice Alito and his wife
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-11 | by ( Ellen Rittiner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: 1 min

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☆ Justice Alito’s Wife, in Secretly Recorded Conversation, Complains About Pride Flag
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-10 | by ( Abbie Vansickle | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr.’s wife, Martha-Ann, recently told a woman posing as a conservative supporter that she wanted to fly a Catholic flag at the couple’s Virginia home in response to a Pride flag in her neighborhood. “You know what I want?” the justice’s wife said to the woman, Lauren Windsor, who secretly recorded the conversation during a black-tie event last week at the Supreme Court. “I want a Sacred Heart of Jesus flag because I have to look across the lagoon at the Pride flag for the next month.”But Ms. Alito said that after she suggested the Sacred Heart of Jesus flag as a retort to the symbol for L.G.B.T.Q. rights, her husband said, “Oh, please, don’t put up a flag.”She said that she had agreed, for now, but that she had told him that “when you are free of this nonsense,” “I’m putting it up and I’m going to send them a message every day, maybe every week. I’ll be changing the flags.”

Persons: Samuel A, Alito Jr, ’, Martha, Ann, Lauren Windsor, “, Alito, don’t Organizations: Supreme Locations: Virginia

☆ Hear secret recording of Justice Alito explaining polarizing issues ‘can’t be compromised’ amid flag controversy
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-10 | by ( Sarah Jorgensen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: 1 min

Thomas received 103 gifts with a total value of more than $2.4 million between 2004 and 2023, the judicial reform group Fix the Court said in a report Thursday. Fix the Court's analysis found that Alito accepted 16 gifts worth a combined $170,095. Counting those gifts, Thomas' total two-decade haul is valued at nearly $4.2 million. The value and number of gifts Thomas received also eclipsed those accepted by eight retired or dead Supreme Court justices whose tenures overlapped his service on the court, which began in 1991. Antonin Scalia, a conservative justice who died in 2016 while on the court, accepted 67 gifts worth about $210,000 during his tenure, which began in 1986.

Persons: Clarence Thomas, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch's, Chip Somodevilla, Thomas, Alito, Harlan Crow, Sandra Day O'Connor, Antonin Scalia, William Rehnquist Organizations: Supreme, Getty, Congressional Locations: Washington ,, Grove

☆ Video: ‘At worst he’s outright lying’: Alito neighbor at center of flag dispute speaks out
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-05 | by ( Ally Hill | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: 1 min

☆ McConnell suggests 'discipline' for Dem senators pressuring Supreme Court over Alito flags
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-05 | by ( Kevin Breuninger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., suggested Wednesday that the Supreme Court should punish at least two Democratic senators over their calls for Justice Samuel Alito to recuse himself from key cases related to former President Donald Trump. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island are bound by court rules that "provide for discipline against those who engage in conduct unbecoming an officer of the court," McConnell said on the Senate floor. But McConnell singled out Blumenthal and Whitehouse because they are members of the Supreme Court bar. They are therefore "potentially engaged in unethical professional conduct before the court," McConnell said of Blumenthal and Whitehouse, both of whom are members of the Senate Judiciary Committee. The responses from Roberts and Alito confirm that they also viewed the communication as public, Whitehouse added.

Persons: Mitch McConnell, luncheons, Samuel Alito, Donald Trump ., Richard Blumenthal of, Sheldon Whitehouse, McConnell, Alito, Blumenthal, Whitehouse, John Roberts, Leonard Leo, Roberts, Dick Durbin, Clarence Thomas, Wednesday's Organizations: Democratic, Donald Trump . Sens, Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Trump, American, CNBC, Wall Street, Capitol, Durbin Locations: Ky, Washington, Rhode, Virginia

☆ Attorney General Merrick Garland fires back at House GOP contempt threat: 'I will not be intimidated'
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-04 | by ( Kevin Breuninger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland testifies before the House Judiciary Committee in Washington, June 4, 2024. Attorney General Merrick Garland on Tuesday hit back at House Republicans threatening to hold him in contempt, calling their efforts part of a wave of "unprecedented and unfounded" attacks against the Department of Justice. "I will not be intimidated," Garland said in his testimony at the start of a hearing before the Republican-led House Judiciary Committee. The Judiciary panel's hearing Tuesday morning was billed as an examination of how the DOJ under Garland has become "politicized and weaponized." "Guys, I'm starting to think you're in a cult," Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., told the committee's Republicans at one point.

Persons: General Merrick Garland, Garland, Donald Trump, Joe Biden's, Robert Hur, Hur, Biden, Barack Obama, there's, Jim Jordan, Madeleine Dean, I'm, Dean, Eric Swalwell, Adam Schiff, Samuel Alito Organizations: House Republicans, Department of Justice, Republican, Committee, Justice Department, Republicans, Democratic, GOP, Trump Locations: Washington, New York, Ohio, York

☆ Opinion | Alito No Longer Tries to Hide His Theocratic Worldview
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-04 | by ( Jesse Wegman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Alito has long made clear his special solicitude for religious claims, whether before the court or on the flagpole outside his house. Still, it should shock us to hear him lay out his worldview so bluntly — and to a woman he never met before. It shows an utter lack of regard for the court’s delicate posture of neutrality in the constitutional system and American society. For a long time, Alito seemed like an outlier on the court, lobbing his sour, grievance-filled dissents from the sidelines. In that regard, this is really the Alito court.

Persons: Roberts, Samuel Alito can’t, “, ”, Alito, Mike Johnson, theocrats Locations: godliness

☆ Here’s what to expect as the Supreme Court enters the final stretch
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-02 | by ( John Fritze | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —The Supreme Court is turning toward the final, frenzied weeks of its term, readying potential blockbuster decisions on abortion, guns and former President Donald Trump’s claims of absolute immunity. Trump claims ‘absolute’ immunityTrump’s appeal for immunity from special counsel Jack Smith’s election subversion charges landed at the Supreme Court late in the term and instantly overshadowed most of the docket. The Supreme Court then put that ruling on hold last year, maintaining the status quo while it decided the case. Government regulation of FacebookThe Supreme Court is confronting a series of cases at the intersection of the First Amendment and social media. The Republican governors who signed the laws said they were needed to keep the social media platforms from discriminating against conservatives.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, –, Roe, Samuel Alito, Trump, Jack Smith’s, Biden, Wade, Matthew Kacsmaryk, Kacsmaryk, Joseph Fischer, ”, Joe Biden’s, Zackey Rahimi, Bruen, Moody, Washington, Raimondo Organizations: CNN, Wade, Conservative, Supreme, White, Trump ., Food and Drug Administration, FDA, Alliance for Hippocratic, US, Pennsylvania, Capitol, Trump, Prosecutors, New York, Rahimi, Facebook, Florida, Biden, Republican, Atlantic, of Commerce, Chevron, Natural Resources Defense, Conservatives, Bright Enterprises, . Department of Commerce Locations: Virginia, New Jersey, Washington, Idaho, Moyle v, Amarillo , Texas, ”, Texas, New, Louisiana, Florida, Atlanta, New Orleans, Paxton, – Missouri, . Missouri

☆ Trump fans turn US flags upside down to protest former president’s conviction
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-01 | by ( Donie O'Sullivan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Hanging the United States flag upside down, a move that is supposed to signal distress and that has ensnared Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito in controversy, is now being practiced by supporters of Donald Trump to protest the former president’s conviction in his hush money trial. Prominent Trump supporters such as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and former national security adviser Michael Flynn posted pictures of upside-down flags on social media soon after a New York jury found Trump guilty Thursday. By Friday, pro-Trump social media accounts were awash with images of inverted flags hanging on porches and lawns across the country. The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, posted an image appearing to show the flag hanging upside down above its Washington, DC, headquarters. “The city was very surprised to learn someone inverted the flags, which were set up in honor of our community’s veterans.

Persons: Samuel Alito, Donald Trump, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Michael Flynn, Trump, Flynn, ” Dylan Feik, Alito, Jason Aldean –, –, Instagram, “ Organizations: CNN, United, Trump, New, Heritage Foundation, KTLA, New York Times Locations: United States, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, New York, Washington, DC, California, Monrovia, Los Angeles County, Monrovia’s

☆ Wait, We’ve Been Flying the Flag the Alitos Had? San Francisco Takes It Down.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-31 | by ( Heather Knight | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

It turns out that the New Jersey vacation home of Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. was not the only surprising place where a provocative flag adopted by Jan. 6, 2021, rioters has flown recently. For 60 years, residents in San Francisco could have spotted the flag in a public pavilion just a stone’s throw from the mayor’s balcony at City Hall. The “Appeal to Heaven” flag was among the 18 historic banners that billowed over a central plaza in one of the nation’s most liberal cities, where fewer than 13 percent of voters supported former President Donald J. Trump in the 2020 election. Few people, including Mayor London Breed, made much of the white flag with a green pine tree. A San Francisco resident raised concerns that the “Appeal to Heaven” flag was flying over the city, after revelations in The New York Times that the same flag had flown outside Justice Alito’s second home on Long Beach Island, N.J.

Persons: Samuel A, Alito, Jan, Donald J, Trump, Alito’s, Joe Biden Organizations: Hall, London Breed, New York Times, U.S . Capitol Locations: New Jersey, San Francisco, Francisco, Long, N.J

☆ ‘Appeal to Heaven’ flag meaning: A closer look at the flag flown outside Alito’s house
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-31 | by ( Aj Willingham | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Like many flags and historical symbols, the Appeal to Heaven flag has multiple meanings and has been used in differing capacities. What is ‘An Appeal to Heaven?’The Appeal to Heaven flag, or “Pine Tree” flag, features a green pine tree on a white field, with the words “An Appeal to Heaven” in black text above it. The pine tree retained this meaning of resistance, and has appeared on some state flags and seals. However, the polarizing recent history of the Appeal to Heaven flag is starting to become known. This week, the city of San Francisco made the decision to remove an “Appeal to Heaven” flag that flew alongside several other flags over City Hall.

Persons: Samuel Alito, Mike Johnson’s, George Washington’s, Alito, Johnson, ”, John Locke’s “, Donald Trump, Trump, Carolyn Kaster, Jemar Tisby, Tisby, Barack Obama’s, Sheets, “ It’s, it’s, ” Sheets, “ There’s, Mike Johnson, CArlos Barria, George Washington, “, ” Alito, San Francisco, Daniel Montez, Josh Du Lac Organizations: CNN, American, Continental Army, Trump, Simmons College, Tea Party, Republican, Christian, Associated Press, ’, City, Francisco Recreation, Parks Locations: New Jersey, Massachusetts, San Francisco’s, British, New England, Washington ,, Kentucky, Gadsden, Ohio, San, Francisco

☆ Experts Question Alito’s Failure to Recuse Himself in Flag Controversy
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-30 | by ( Adam Liptak | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Supreme Court justices seldom give reasons for their decisions to recuse themselves. Even rarer are explanations for deciding to participate in a case when they have been accused of conflicts of interest. Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. is an exception. But whether his explanation has helped or hurt his cause is open to question. Experts in legal ethics said they welcomed Justice Alito’s decision to explain himself.

Persons: Samuel A, Alito, Justice Alito, Alito’s, Donald J, Trump

On Today’s Episode:Trump Jurors to Review Evidence as They Consider a Verdict in His Trial, by Jesse McKinleyAlito Refuses Calls for Recusal Over Display of Provocative Flags, by Adam LiptakBiden Asks What Trump Would Have Done if Capitol Rioters Were Black, by Nicholas Nehamas and Maya KingHong Kong Convicts Democracy Activists in Largest National Security Trial, by Tiffany MayThe 47 Pro-Democracy Figures in Hong Kong’s Largest National Security Trial, by K.K. Rebecca Lai, David Pierson and Tiffany MayNew Delhi Sweats Through Its Hottest Recorded Day, by Hari Kumar and Mujib Mashal

Persons: Trump, Jesse McKinley Alito, Adam Liptak Biden, Nicholas Nehamas, King, Tiffany May, K.K, Rebecca Lai, David Pierson, Tiffany, Hari Kumar, Mujib Mashal Organizations: Capitol, King Hong Kong Convicts Democracy, Hong Locations: Delhi

☆ Chief Justice John Roberts declines to meet with Democratic lawmakers about ethics flap and Alito’s flags
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-30 | by ( John Fritze | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Chief Justice John Roberts on Thursday rejected a meeting request from Democratic lawmakers who wanted to discuss two provocative flags hoisted at Justice Samuel Alito’s properties. “Separation of powers concerns and the importance of preserving judicial independence counsel against such appearances,” Roberts wrote in a letter released by the Supreme Court. “My wife is fond of flying flags,” Alito wrote. The Supreme Court is considering two appeals tied to the 2020 election and the attack on the US Capitol. Whitehouse posted on social media that “the work must continue” until the Supreme Court applies “honest fact-finding and neutral decision-making” to itself.

Persons: John Roberts, Samuel Alito’s, ” Roberts, Alito, Martha, Ann Alito, “, ” Alito, Donald Trump, Illinois Sen, Dick Durbin, Sen, Sheldon Whitehouse, Alito’s recusal, Roberts “, Roberts, ”, Jack Smith’s, Whitehouse, ” Whitehouse, they’ve Organizations: CNN, Democratic, Supreme, Capitol, Committee, Rhode, Rhode Island Democrat Locations: New Jersey, Illinois, Rhode Island

☆ Opinion | Objections to Alito’s Refusal to Recuse
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-30 | by ( ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

To the Editor:Re “Alito Rejecting Calls to Recuse in Flag Uproar” (front page, May 29):Everyone has been focused on how Justice Samuel Alito can pretend to be impartial on Jan. 6 cases after the flag controversy. The greater issue is how this episode is yet another exposure of Justice Alito’s lack of judgment. Justice Alito’s inability or unwillingness to extract himself from the Jan. 6 cases that come before the Supreme Court inflicts a great deal more damage to its reputation and credibility. That leaves us stuck with a Supreme Court majority that is practicing politics when it is supposed to be providing legal guidance based on law. These should require justices to demonstrate pristine behavior and institute accountability so Justice Alito can understand how ludicrous is his decision not to remove himself from cases where he has a conflict.

Persons: Re “ Alito, Samuel Alito, Alito’s, inflicts, John Roberts, Alito

☆ Chief Justice Rejects Call for Alito’s Recusal in Jan. 6 Cases After Flag Incidents
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-30 | by ( Abbie Vansickle | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. on Thursday declined requests to have Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. recuse himself from cases related to the Jan. 6 Capitol attack after provocative flags flew on the justice’s properties. The justices make those calls on their own, Chief Justice Roberts wrote in a letter to Democratic senators. “Members of the Supreme Court recently reaffirmed the practice we have followed for 235 years pursuant to which individual justices decide recusal issues,” he wrote.

Persons: John G, Roberts, Samuel A, Alito Jr, Justice Roberts, ” Organizations: Democratic, Supreme

☆ Samuel Alito's story about the upside-down flag fiasco isn't fully adding up
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-29 | by ( Erin Snodgrass | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

"My wife is fond of flying flags," Alito wrote. Alito said he asked his wife to take the flag down "as soon as I saw it," but for "several days," she refused. A second flagAlito's explanation for why his wife raised the upside-down flag in January 2021 also doesn't account for the second controversial flag now tied to the couple. The Times reported this month that an "Appeal to Heaven" flag was flown outside Alito's New Jersey beach house as recently as last summer. He said neither he nor his wife were aware the flag had any association with the "Stop the Steal" movement.

Persons: —, Samuel Alito, Alito, Donald Trump, Trump, Martha, Ann Alito, Emily Baden, Samuel Alito Chip Somodevilla, shouldn't Organizations: Service, Business, Trump, New York Times, Capitol, Times, Washington Post Locations: Alito's Virginia, Vietnam, Virginia, Alito's New Jersey

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