New York Times: Another Controversial Flag Spotted Outside Alito Property

CNN
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A flag that was on display during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol was unfurled outside Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito’s vacation home in New Jersey, according to a New York Times report Wednesday.

Citing photographs and interviews with neighbors, the Times reports that the “Call to Heaven” flag was displayed on his property last summer. The flag, which has a history dating back to the Revolutionary War, has also become a symbol for supporters of former President Donald Trump. The flag is white and features a green evergreen tree and the words “A Call to Heaven” at the top.

Alito and the Supreme Court did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

This is the second revelation in as many weeks regarding a controversial display outside Alito’s property. The New York Times last week published a photograph of an inverted American flag raised at Alito’s Virginia home in 2021. Alito said the upside-down American flag was raised by his wife and was a response to an argument with neighbors.

The episode drew fire from critics, including Democrats and key GOP senators, who called on the judge to recuse himself from cases involving Trump and the 2021 Capitol attack.

Like the inverted American flag, the Appeal to Heaven flag – also known as the Pine Tree flag – was seen during the attack on the Capitol.

House Speaker Mike Johnson faced retaliation for displaying the same flag outside his office last year before assuming the leadership post. The Call to Heaven flag remains outside his office Wednesday.

Johnson told CNN on Wednesday that “it’s George Washington’s flag.” This goes back to the time of the founder. I have always flown this flag.

“It has nothing to do with this,” Johnson said, referring to the “stop the steal” protests.

The Alitos’ choice of flags is drawing attention in part because several high-profile cases are currently pending before the high court regarding the election and subsequent attack on the U.S. Capitol, including the controversial question of whether Trump can claim immunity from charges of federal election subversion. .

Another case involves a Jan. 6 defendant who is contesting an obstruction charge filed by federal prosecutors for his role in the attack.

This story has been updated with additional developments.