“Inside the Donald Trump-Alito Shadow Meeting: The Unlikely Most Influential Conversation of the Supreme Court Term”
Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr.’s Call with President-elect Donald J. Trump Raises Ethics Concerns
The recent call between Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. and President-elect Donald J. Trump has raised significant ethical concerns. The call was made shortly after Trump was convicted in New York and his lawyers asked the Supreme Court to delay his sentencing. The call was described as a routine work reference for former legal staffers Trump was considering for administration positions.
However, the fact that Trump made the call to verify the recommendation, a task typically reserved for lower-level aides, has raised eyebrows. The call has been criticized by advocacy groups, including Fix the Court, which seeks greater openness from the Supreme Court.
“This call is just an excuse for Trump to talk to one of the nine people who will decide the fate of his hush-money award in the coming days, and who will review more Trump-related issues over the next four years,” said Gabe Roth, executive director of Fix the Court.
Justice Alito has denied any wrongdoing, stating that the call was an unqualified recognition of a talented clerk. He claimed that he had not discussed the hush money case or any other legal proceedings with Trump.
The call has added to questions surrounding the court’s ethics practices, including questions about gifts and luxury travel that Justices Alito and Clarence Thomas accepted but only partially disclosed. In 2023, ProPublica reported that Judge Alito failed to disclose the cost of a private jet flight paid by a conservative billionaire who later filed a lawsuit in court. In an opinion column in The Wall Street Journal, the judge wrote that he was under no obligation to disclose the trip.
In 2024, The New York Times reported on an upside-down American flag flying outside the Justices’ mansion in the weeks after the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, as well as the “Appellate Haven” flag raised during the January 6 riots. A symbol of the Church and a more Christian-minded government, it will be on display at the judge’s beach house in the summer of 2023.
The Supreme Court has given prosecutors until Thursday morning to respond to Trump’s emergency filing, which urges the court to stay his sentencing, which is scheduled for Friday, 10 days before the presidential inauguration. A New York appeals court on Tuesday rejected the same request, sharply questioning the validity of his efforts to avoid a prison sentence.
FAQ:
Q: What was the purpose of Justice Alito’s call with President-elect Trump?
A: The call was described as a routine work reference for former legal staffers Trump was considering for administration positions.
Q: Why did Trump make the call?
A: It is unclear why Trump made the call, but it has been criticized as an attempt to influence the Supreme Court’s decision in his hush-money case.
Q: Has Justice Alito denied any wrongdoing?
A: Yes, Justice Alito has denied any wrongdoing, stating that the call was an unqualified recognition of a talented clerk.
Q: What are the ethical concerns surrounding the call?
A: The call has raised concerns about the Supreme Court’s ethics practices, including questions about gifts and luxury travel that Justices Alito and Clarence Thomas accepted but only partially disclosed.
Conclusion:
The recent call between Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. and President-elect Donald J. Trump has raised significant ethical concerns. The call has been criticized as an attempt to influence the Supreme Court’s decision in Trump’s hush-money case, and has added to questions surrounding the court’s ethics practices. The Supreme Court must take steps to ensure the integrity of its proceedings and maintain public trust in the institution.
