A secret recording of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito endorsing the idea that the country should return to “godliness” has intensified controversy around the court, drawing sharp criticism from Senate Democrats and putting Republicans on the defensive. Senate Democrats criticized Alito and Chief Justice John Roberts, arguing that Alito’s comments reflect a partisan agenda. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) labeled Alito as an extremist, suggesting his influence is a threat to democracy.
Alito’s remarks were recorded by a journalist posing as a Catholic conservative, during a recent Supreme Court gala. Alito agreed with the notion of returning the country to godliness and discussed the difficulties in compromising on fundamental issues. This followed scrutiny over his majority opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overturned the right to abortion, citing 17th-century jurists to argue against abortion.
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) criticized Alito on social media, with Blumenthal also condemning Chief Justice Roberts for not addressing Alito’s conduct. Reports of flags linked to the Jan. 6 Capitol attack flying at Alito’s properties added to the controversy, though Alito attributed these actions to his wife.
Senate Democrats, led by Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), are pushing for Supreme Court ethics reform. They plan to advance the Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal and Transparency Act, which requires a binding code of conduct and mechanisms to investigate violations. Republicans, however, defended Alito, criticizing the recording as a form of liberal harassment. The proposed ethics bill faces significant Republican opposition and is unlikely to advance.
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