A liberal activist released a secret recording on Monday, revealing conservative U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito agreeing with the idea that the U.S. should return “to a place of godliness.” Reuters could not independently verify the recording’s authenticity, which activist Lauren Windsor posted on social media and provided to Rolling Stone. The Supreme Court and Rolling Stone did not respond to requests for comment.
Windsor explained in an email to Reuters that she attended the June 3 Supreme Court Historical Society’s annual dinner as a dues-paying member. Posing as a conservative Christian, she approached Alito and discussed how the country could become less politically polarized before turning to the topic of religion. In the recording, she stated, “I think that the solution really is like winning the moral argument. Like, people in this country who believe in God have got to keep fighting for that, to return our country to a place of godliness.”
A voice, which sounded like Alito’s, responded, “Well, I agree with you. I agree with you.” When asked about the current political divide in America, the same voice said, “One side or the other is going to win. I don’t know. I mean, there can be a way of working — a way of living together peacefully, but it’s difficult, you know, because there are differences on fundamental things that really can’t be compromised. They really can’t be compromised. So it’s not like you are going to split the difference.”
Windsor commented, “In saying that one side will win, and that some things can’t be compromised, he is admitting a lack of impartiality, which is bedrock to our system of justice.” James Duff, the executive director of the Supreme Court Historical Society, condemned the surreptitious recording of justices at the event, calling it inconsistent with the evening’s spirit.
Alito has faced scrutiny following reports that flags associated with former President Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss flew outside two of his homes. This prompted Democrats to call for his recusal from pending cases related to the 2020 election. The New York Times reported in May that two flags, similar to those carried by Trump supporters during the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, were flown at Alito’s homes. An upside-down American flag flew at his Virginia home in the Washington suburbs, while a flag bearing the words “Appeal to Heaven” flew at his vacation house in New Jersey.
The “Appeal to Heaven” flag symbolizes hopes by some conservative activists for a more Christian-centered U.S. government. Alito, in a statement last month rejecting calls for his recusal, said he was not familiar with the flag’s meaning. He also told lawmakers that his wife, Martha-Ann Alito, flew the flags in both instances. Reuters could not independently verify this.
