Secret Recording of Justice Appears Online
A recording of the Justice began circulating online, in which he was heard exclaiming that the United States needs to return “to a place of godliness.”
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According to reports, filmmaker Lauren Windsor recorded the voice clip at a dinner party. These comments have sparked considerable debate about whether his personal opinions may affect his ability to perform his judicial duties fairly.
Further Comments Add Fuel to the Fire
Alito came under further scrutiny following another lengthy comment that was later shared online.
Source: Benjamin DeYoung/Unsplash
“One side or the other is going to win. I mean, there can be a way of working, a way of living together peacefully, but it’s difficult because there are differences on fundamental things that can’t be compromised. So it’s not like you are going to split the difference,” he said.
Flag Stir Up Public Outcry
If the two quotes weren’t enough to tarnish his reputation amongst several groups in the nation, the public was further taken aback after discovering Justice Alito was reportedly flying an upside-down American flag and a Christian nationalist flag outside his home.
Source: Sharefaith/Pexels
The latter is linked to the “Stop the Steal” movement. The flags have ultimately left many questioning whether Alito is fit to sit as a Justice.
Faithful America Call For Alito to Resign
Faithful America, a Christian group that claims to champion social justice, took it upon themselves to call for Alito’s resignation and started a petition to urge the Supreme Court Justice to do so.
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The petition reads: “Dear Justice Samuel Alito, As members of the Christian organization Faithful America, we are deeply disappointed by your recent comments at the Supreme Court Historical Society’s annual dinner, agreeing that the United States should move to a place of ‘godliness.”
Christian Group Demands Justice to Step Down
Faithful America alleges Alito’s comments have violated the separation of Church and State: “These comments distort Christianity, violate the separation of church and state, and appear to endorse an extra-judicial agenda of Christian nationalism.
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They continued, “One of the flags, the ‘Appeal to Heaven,’ is even a symbol of Christian nationalism carried by insurrectionists. You are unfit to serve on our nation’s highest court, and we demand that you immediately resign. Thank you.”
Petition Gains Thousands of Signatures
The petition has garnered considerable online support, with Newsweek reporting that nearly 17,000 people had signed it as of 18 June.
Source: Freepik
After initially setting a goal of 15,000 signatures, the Christian group, which defines itself as a “community of Christians putting faith into action for love and social justice,” moved up to a target of 20,000.
Christian Group Claims Alito’s Actions Are Unconstitutional
Faithful America later updated its petition, suggesting that Alito’s actions violated the Constitution and that men like him must face the consequences of their actions.
Source: Freepik
“(Alito’s) extraordinary comments twist our faith, endorse a Christian-nationalist agenda, and violate the Constitutional separation of church and state — and that’s not all. They also come on the heels of the news that Alito’s homes flew two right-wing flags contesting the legitimacy of the 2020 election,” they wrote.
Group Calls For More Signatures
According to Faithful America, those who oppose Alito’s comments and actions must unite and work to remove him from his position.
Source: Freepik
“This man is far from impartial and cannot remain a justice on our nation’s highest court. As a grassroots movement of Christians, let’s join together to demand that Justice Alito immediately resign,” they wrote.
Alito Responds to Allegations
Speaking on the upside-down US flag flown at his home in Alexandria, Virginia, Alito explained the idea was his wife and blamed the entire situation on a “very nasty neighborhood dispute.”
Source: Freepik
“My wife is a private citizen, and she possesses the same First Amendment rights as every other American,” Alito wrote a letter sent to members of Congress. “She makes her own decisions, and I have always respected her right to do so.”
Alito Claims He Wasn't Responsible For the Flag
With regards to the other flag flown at his home, which many suggest supports the ‘Stop the Steal Movement,’ Alito claims “I had no involvement in the decision to fly that flag,”
Source: Wikimedia
He continued, “I was not aware of any connection between that historic flag and the ‘Stop the Steal Movement,’ and neither was my wife. She did not fly it to associate herself with that or any other group, and the use of an old historic flag by a new group does not necessarily drain that flag of all other meanings.”
Pressure on Justice Grows
As the petition continues to obtain signatures, the pressure on Justice Alito also grows. However, he has recently suggested the calls for resignation have no merit.
Source: Freepik
“I am confident that a reasonable person who is not motivated by political or ideological considerations or a desire to affect the outcome of Supreme Court cases would conclude that the events … do not meet the applicable standard for recusal,” he wrote. “I am, therefore, required to reject your request,” said Alito.