Staff Reports
On their first day back from recess on Monday, Congress members returned to their usual partisan battles. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin wasted no time in renewing his calls for Justice Samuel Alito to recuse himself from decisions related to the 2020 election. Durbin continues to push for this after Justice Alito already made it clear he would not recuse himself from these cases.
During his speech, Durbin brought up the events of January 6, 2021, and the presence of certain flags at the Capitol that day. Durbin pointed out that similar flags were also spotted outside the homes of the Alitos, sparking controversy. He accused Justice Alito of aligning himself with the “Stop the Steal” movement and urged Chief Justice Roberts to ensure Justice Alito’s recusal from these cases.
'Undermine Credibility and Legitimacy': Legal Expert Shares Why Durbin's Still Calling on Alito to Recuse https://t.co/SqGPBT21oi
— Biff Smallberries (@B_Smallberries) June 5, 2024
Curt Levey, a constitutional law attorney and president of the Committee for Justice, believes that the attacks on the Court will continue, especially with major decisions on the horizon. Levey predicts that some Democrats will try to question the integrity and legitimacy of the Court because they may not agree with the forthcoming rulings.
The Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats also joined in, posting multiple tweets calling for Justice Alito’s recusal and a binding code of conduct for all Supreme Court justices. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, a member of the Judiciary Committee, has also attempted to involve Chief Justice Roberts in policing and controlling Justice Alito, but Roberts has refused to comply with such demands.
In addition to these attacks, legal experts warn about potential future actions. Jennifer Rubin, a columnist for The Washington Post, suggested that if Democrats gain control of Congress and the presidency, they may consider options such as impeaching Justice Alito and expanding the Supreme Court. Carrie Severino from the Judicial Crisis Network sees this as a pivotal moment for the Court and the filibuster, as the 2024 election approaches.
The push for Justice Alito’s recusal and the broader debate over the role and structure of the Supreme Court indicate the intense partisan divisions within Congress and the looming battle over the future direction of the judiciary.
