Staff Reports
Leftist activists and media often criticize conservative figures like Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and his wife Ginni for their close ties to ex-President Donald Trump. Now, the spotlight has shifted to Justice Samuel Alito and his wife Martha-Ann. They are under fire for flying an American flag upside-down outside their home in Virginia shortly before President Joe Biden’s inauguration. Critics on the left are calling for Justice Alito to step down from cases involving Trump or Biden due to this reported protest.
Using an inverted American flag to show distress or discontent with the government has a long history in the United States. It is a bipartisan way for people to express their dissatisfaction with the country’s direction. In fact, official guidelines state that the flag should only be displayed upside-down as a signal of extreme distress. Some supporters of former President Trump used this symbol after the 2020 election, and even some pro-abortion protestors did so after the Roe v. Wade decision was overturned in 2022.
Leftist critics attack Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito over his wife flying an upside-down U.S. flag after 2020 election – Conservative Institute. America is such an embarrassment even to third world countries!!! https://t.co/0FKSc71ceB
— Larry Marcey (@LarryMarcey) May 19, 2024
Despite this, a New York Times report about the Alitos flying an inverted flag outside their home sparked controversy. Justice Alito clarified that his wife put up the flag in response to offensive language on a neighbor’s signs, not as a political statement. Some critics are now accusing Justice Alito of ethics violations and demanding that he recuse himself from certain cases.
Critics, including so-called judicial ethics “experts,” are trying to impose a double standard on Justice Alito by holding him accountable for his wife’s actions. This demand for recusal has been a common tactic used by the left against conservative figures like Justice Thomas. It is unlikely that Justice Alito will give in to these demands, but the media and activists will likely continue to push this narrative in an attempt to discredit him.
Editorial Opinion: It is hypocritical for the left to attack Justice Alito for a commonly used form of protest. The flag is a symbol of free speech, and individuals have the right to express their discontent with the government. This is just another example of the left’s desperation to silence conservative voices in positions of power. Justice Alito should not be bullied into recusal over a trivial matter like his wife’s choice to display an inverted flag.
