Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito's wife raised an inverted American flag at their home in January 2021, stating it was an 'international signal of distress.' The flag was removed by the time a reporter visited on President Joe Biden's inauguration day. Mrs. Alito insisted it was not a political protest but related to a neighborhood dispute.
Following a spat with neighbors over derogatory signs, Mrs. Alito raised the flag in response. The flag, a symbol for some of former President Donald Trump's supporters, was seen outside the Alitos' vacation home in New Jersey last summer. This has sparked criticism from both sides of the political spectrum.
Conservative Justice Alito has faced calls for recusal from cases involving Trump and the 2021 Capitol attack due to these flag displays. Some GOP senators have criticized the decision to fly such flags, while others have defended Alito, claiming the issue is exaggerated.
The controversy has reignited discussions about implementing ethics rules for the Supreme Court. Senate Judiciary Chairman Dick Durbin expressed concern over a Supreme Court justice displaying such flags, calling it a serious matter. Efforts to establish ethics rules for the Supreme Court have faced delays.
