Issue #19 - Alito's (Red) Flags, A New Era in South African Politics, & Only Political Pain Will Make Biden Change Stance on Israel
May 31, 2024
This week, Justice Alito refuses to recuse himself in Trump’s immunity trial because of his wife’s controversial flags, the ANC loses its majority opening up a new era in South African politics, and Biden has to make eventually make a choice about Israel or risk losing the election. As well, a roundup of some of the interesting, uplifting, and good news from the week.
Alito’s (Red) Flags
SLIVERS OF HOPE
In a Streisand effect move, Alito’s ridiculous excuse for the flags is likely to bring more pressure for him to recuse himself in the the Trump immunity case.
This case on top of Clarence Thomas’s ethical issues will likely bring about more scrutiny to the justices personal allegiances to candidates. As the two flags were seen flying two years apart, it leads to questions about the Alito family’s allegiances to Trump and the January 6th rioters.
As Alito refused to recuse himself, it’s clear that the Code of Conduct, which was written last year, clearly needs a greater enforcement mechanism. With two justices in hot water, there is perhaps no better time for an oversight committee.
CATALYST
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a man under scrutiny for a scandal will throw his wife under the bus.
In a hilarious and hypocritical move, Alito put the sole blame of the controversial flags found on his property onto his wife. It’s not surprising. He was just following a similar playbook to that of his colleague, Clarence Thomas, who claimed not to know anything about his wife, Ginni’s, involvement with the planning of the January 6th insurrection.
But what is truly fascinating is the language Alito used to place the blame on his wife, saying that as a private citizen she had the autonomy to do what she wanted on her jointly owned property.
Certainly, it was condescending. But it was also mind-boggling from the man who was instrumental in seeing Roe v. Wade overturned. So, apparently women have autonomy when it comes to flags, but not their body?
Some want to say that he’s inadvertently admitting that women have rights, autonomy. But really, he’s still the judge (literally). His wife only has autonomy when he’s under scrutiny. It’s yet another exercise of power over a woman.
What is clear is that the Code of Conduct for Supreme Court Justices needs another look. The Code, which was written last year, does not seem to be doing its job. How can Alito refuse to recuse himself when there could be an ethical breach? Should this be his decision?
As Alito is the second Justice to find himself in possible breach of ethics of the court in recent years, it’s beyond necessary to find a different method of determining when a recusal is necessary.
And this doesn’t just apply to Supreme Court justices. In Florida, Judge Eileen Cannon has been routinely delaying the Trump documents case because, some believe, she is still loyal to Trump after he appointed her.
The court is meant to be the sober second thought arm of government, free of politics. While it is naive to assume that this has ever been the case, there could be better safeguards in place as well.
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