Congressman Hank Johnson’s Statement on NYT’s Report on Justice Alito and “Stop the Steal” Symbol

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Following new reporting that a “Stop the Steal” symbol was visible in front of Justice Samuel Alito’s home in January 2021, when the Supreme Court was considering whether to take a 2020 election case, Congressman Hank Johnson, ranking member of the Subcommittee on Courts and Chair of the Court Reform Now Task Force, released the following statement:

“U.S. law mandates that the flag of the United States of America “…should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.” It is well documented that the insurrection supporting “Stop The Steal” activists used the upside-down flag as a symbol of protest against the 2020 election results. Just days after the January 6 insurrection, and while the public awaited election protest related rulings from the United States Supreme Court, an upside-down flag was photographed flying proudly on the front lawn of the personal residence of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito. When asked for comment, Justice Alito blamed the upside-down flag on his wife. It is apparent that Justices Alito and Thomas, along with their wives, are MAGA kindred spirits. By their obvious bias, both Thomas and Alito must recuse themselves from any participation in the United States v. Trump case pending before the Court. Their refusal to recuse would only further erode public trust and confidence in the Supreme Court, and in the Rule of Law the Court has a duty to uphold.”

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