(GoRealNewsNow.com) – Lindsey Graham slammed Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito for allowing an upside-down American flag to be flown outside his home, which marked a rare departure from his typical support of conservative judges.
The Republican senator expressed his disapproval following a New York Times report that highlighted an incident on January 17, 2021—just days after the Capitol riot and shortly before Joe Biden’s inauguration—where an upside-down flag was seen outside Alito’s residence.
This flag position is often used by those who falsely claim that the election was stolen from former President Donald Trump, which raised concerns about the impartiality of the Supreme Court’s conservative majority.
Graham referenced a narrative suggesting that Alito’s wife, Martha-Ann, hoisted the flag after a heated argument with a neighbor.
Despite this explanation, Graham noted, “It’s not good judgment to do that. “He said his wife was insulted and got mad – assume that to be true – but he’s still a supreme court justice”, emphasizing the need for justices to consider the implications of their actions more carefully.
This criticism marked a shift from Graham’s usual rhetoric, especially considering his July 2023 paise of the Supreme Court following decisions on key issues like abortion and student debt forgiveness. At that time, he lauded the justices for defending constitutional rights and limited government, stating, “I’ve never been prouder.”
The flag incident was reported as the Supreme Court deliberated on matters related to presidential immunity, which could influence Trump’s ongoing legal challenges as he prepares for a potential electoral rematch with Biden.
Moreover, the issue also drew attention to the ethical expectations for Supreme Court justices.
Recently, the Court adopted a stronger, although non-binding, ethics code following scrutiny of Justice Clarence Thomas for undisclosed trips funded by a Republican billionaire. Alito himself has come under fire for failing to disclose a trip to Alaska.
Supreme Court employees are generally expected to avoid public political displays, adhering to strict guidelines that include restrictions on items like bumper stickers on vehicles.
Additionally, the U.S. flag code states that an upside-down flag should only be used to signal “dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.”
Copyright 2024, GoRealNewsNow.com