Key Republican senators criticized Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito for flying an upside-down American flag outside his home in 2021, a symbol used by some supporters of former President Donald Trump who challenged Joe Biden’s victory. Senate Republican Whip John Thune called it a “bad decision,” while Sen. Lindsey Graham called it a “mistake” that created a bad image. Others, like Sen. Mitt Romney, expressed concerns about the flag, which became associated with the “Stop the Steal” movement following the election.
The New York Times published a photo of the inverted flag at Alito’s home, but he denied any involvement in it, saying his wife placed it in response to a neighbor’s insults on yard signs. Many Republicans defended Alito or downplayed the incident, citing attacks on Supreme Court credibility and dismissing calls for his recusal from Trump-related cases. Some, like Sen. Chuck Grassley, accused the left of attacking the Supreme Court and rejected calls for Alito to recuse himself. Others, like Sen. John Kennedy, defended Alito’s wife’s right to express her opinion and emphasized the discretion of spouses of Supreme Court justices.
Sen. John Cornyn described the focus on the upside-down flag as harassment against Alito, while Sen. Shelley Moore Capito seemed to view the issue as a neighborhood dispute, not warranting further comment. Despite the criticism from some Republican senators, many defended Alito’s role on the court and dismissed calls for him to recuse himself, emphasizing the importance of focusing on other concerns. The incident highlights a rare instance of high-ranking GOP senators publicly criticizing a conservative Supreme Court justice and the divisive nature of political symbols in the aftermath of a contentious election.
Overall, the controversy surrounding the inverted flag at Alito’s home exemplifies the deep divisions within the Republican Party over the legitimacy of the 2020 election and the role of the Supreme Court in addressing related issues. While some senators criticized Alito for the flag’s display, others defended him and downplayed the incident, focusing on broader attacks on the Supreme Court’s credibility. The differing responses from Republican lawmakers reflect the ongoing debate within the party over how to navigate contentious political issues and maintain a united front in the face of opposition.
