May 29, 2024

Day 1226: "A subversion of democracy."

3 minutes

Wednesday, May 29, 2024

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1/ Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito refused to recuse himself from cases involving Trump and the Jan. 6 insurrection despite revelations that flags associated with Trump’s far-right supporters flew at his homes in Virginia and New Jersey. Alito told lawmakers he had “nothing whatsoever to do with the flying of” an upside-down U.S. flag at his Virginia home days before Biden’s inauguration. Alito also said he had “no involvement” in flying a flag bearing the “Appeal to Heaven” symbol, a flag associated with the “Stop the Steal” movement. Alito blamed his wife for flying the controversial flags, saying “She was solely responsible for having flagpoles put up at our residence and our vacation home and has flown a wide variety of flags over the years” and that he was powerless to remove the flags because his wife “has the legal right to use the property as she sees fit.” The Supreme Court is currently weighing Trump’s presidential immunity claim in the federal election interference case brought by special counsel Jack Smith, and an appeal brought by a man prosecuted for his role on Jan. 6. Rulings are due by the end of June. (Washington Post / New York Times / CNN / Axios / NBC News / Associated Press / CNBC / Bloomberg)

📌 Day 1217: Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito flew an upside-down American flag at his home after the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol. At the time the symbol of the so-called “Stop the Steal” movement was flying outside Alito’s home, the court was still considering whether to take up a Republican challenge to the presidential election results. Although the court declined to consider the case, Alito, Clarence Thomas, and Neil Gorsuch said it deserved the court’s attention and “a decision would provide invaluable guidance for future elections.” Alito denied any involvement “whatsoever in the flying of the flag,” but instead blamed his wife for “briefly” flying the upside-down American flag “in response to a neighbor’s use of objectionable and personally insulting language on yard signs.” The Supreme Court is currently deciding two cases related to Trump and his supporters efforts to overturn the results of the election. The decisions will affect the 350 pro-Trump rioters involved in the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, and whether Trump has immunity from prosecution on election interference charges. Notably, the wife of Clarence Thomas attended the Jan. 6 “Stop the Steal” rally to protest Biden’s election. (New York Times / CNN /

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