Progressives demand Alito investigation
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – Progressive groups and Democratic House lawmakers are demanding that Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito be held accountable.
The justice is refusing to recuse himself from Trump related cases after two controversial flags, spotted during the January 6th riot, were observed at two of his properties.
“This country deserves better than a corrupt right-wing Supreme Court,” said Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.).
Jayapal and Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) joined progressive groups outside the court to demand Congress pass an enforceable code of conduct for the Supreme Court.
The group is also pressuring Democratic senators to ramp up investigations into what they describe as a pattern of ethics violations by justices.
“Our system requires checks and balances; the Supreme Court is not above accountability,” said Rahna Epting, Executive Director of MoveOn Political Action.
Senate Judiciary Chairman Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) is currently leading an investigation into potential ethics violations by justices. The effort started after Justice Clarence Thomas was accused of receiving questionable donations.
A spokesperson from the senator’s office says “Chair Durbin will continue to pursue what the American people are demanding: accountability, transparency and an enforceable code of conduct for Supreme Court justices.”
Democrats’ calls for reform are facing fierce pushback from Republicans across Capitol Hill.
Senator Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) says Democrats are trying to undermine the conservative court.
“There’s no institution, there’s no rule, there’s no law right now that Democrats aren’t willing to bulldoze for absolute, total control,” said Schmitt.
Justice Alito is blaming the flag incident on his wife and argues he has not violated the court’s ethics code. Alito and Chief Justice John Roberts have turned down invitations to speak before senators.
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