Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) recently spoke out against the Supreme Court, calling it “brazenly corrupt and brazenly political,” as he supported President Biden’s remarks describing the court as “out of kilter” at a recent fundraiser.
During an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Murphy affirmed that it is “absolutely” appropriate for Biden to criticize the court.
“I think it would be irresponsible for the president not to talk about the fact that this court is becoming brazenly corrupt and brazenly political,” Murphy stated when asked about Biden’s comments.
He emphasized the importance of public action, adding, “And it’s up to the American people, this election, to do something about that.” He also called on Congress to “step up” and establish a code of ethical conduct “before it’s too late.”
This discussion arises amid calls for Justice Samuel Alito to recuse himself from upcoming cases related to the Jan. 6 Capitol attack and the 2020 presidential election.
These calls follow reports that flags linked to efforts to maintain former President Trump’s power post-2020 were displayed outside Alito’s home.
Alito has declined to recuse himself.
One such instance involved an upside-down American flag, historically a distress signal, used by protesters of Trump’s election loss and associated with the “Stop the Steal” movement.
In 2023, Alito’s New Jersey vacation home displayed an “Appeal to Heaven” flag, a symbol with Revolutionary War origins, now supposedly associated with conservative, Biblically-centered government and seen during the Capitol riot on Jan. 6.
Alito explained that his wife chose to fly the flag, asserting her “legal right to use the property as she sees fit” and noting her fondness for flag-flying.
It’s unclear whether the supposed ties of the flag to extremism are real or fabricated by political opposition.
The only thing we do know is that the “Pine Tree” flag was used by a squadron of six schooners commissioned under George Washington’s authority as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army beginning in October 1775.
The pine tree is a classic icon of New England. The expression “appeal to heaven” appears in John Locke’s Second Treatise on Government, where it refers to the right of revolution.
Justice Clarence Thomas has faced similar calls for recusal due to his wife Virginia’s involvement in efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.
Like Alito, Thomas has refused to step aside.
Additionally, Thomas has come under scrutiny for accepting lavish gifts and vacations from billionaire Harlan Crow, revealed by a ProPublica investigation, which questioned his impartiality.
Murphy cited these instances to highlight what he sees as a “crisis” within the court.
“I think there’s a crisis on the court, in particular with respect to Justice Alito and Justice Thomas. What Justice Thomas is engaged in is just a grift. He’s got a major political player on the outside, who absolutely has political and business interests at the court, paying off a justice,” Murphy remarked.
Stay tuned to the Fairview Gazette.
“Justice Alito is openly displaying affiliation with political causes in public.”
