Democrat Steve Cohen calls out Justice Samuel Alito's ‘street lawyer’ behavior amid flag controversy
WASHINGTON, DC: Democratic Representative Steve Cohen from Tennessee has criticized Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, accusing him of behaving more like a “street lawyer” than a Supreme Court Justice.
This comes in the wake of the controversy surrounding two flags displayed at Alito’s residences questioning his role in 'Stop the Seal' protests following the January 6 Capitol attack in 2021.
Rep Steve Cohen calls out Justice Samuel Alito over his impartiality being in question
Cohen, a member of the Judiciary Committee, expressed his concerns about Alito's impartiality.
“It’s up to each individual justice to judge whether they’ve violated the code of ethics and to recuse themselves in cases where their impartiality may be in question," Cohen said in an interview with MSNBC’s 'The Weekend'.
“Alito, I don’t think, is caliber a person to do that," he further added as per The Hill. “He’s acting more like a street lawyer than a silk stocking lawyer. And that’s what the Supreme Court is supposed to be silk stocking lawyers,” he continued.
The New York Times reported that an upside-down flag was seen outside Alito’s Virginia home shortly after the January 6 attack on the Capitol.
A white flag with a green pine tree, a symbol of Christian-minded government was also spotted outside his vacation home in 2023, as per Time.
Democrats are demanding Samuel Alito’s recusal
Democrats are raising concerns about Justice Alito's potential conflict of interest.
As the Supreme Court is set to review cases concerning former president Donald Trump's immunity from prosecution and issues related to January 6, several Democrats are calling for Alito to recuse himself.
“There must be accountability to protect the integrity and impartiality of the High Court. We must protect the Constitutional rights to fair and impartial proceedings.” Cohen wrote while introducing a resolution in the House to censure Alito.
Key democrats senators Dick Durbin and Sheldon Whitehouse, both members of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Friday expressed their desire to meet with Chief Justice John Roberts to discuss what they term the Supreme Court’s “ethics crisis.”
They also called for the Supreme Court to adopt an "enforceable code of conduct for Justices," in a letter released Friday.
Alito has denied his involvement and claimed it was his wife who had flown a flag at the house upside down over some dispute with neighbors. He hasn't commented on the controversy surrounding another flag.
Public opinion swings in favor of Rep Steve Cohen for calling out Justice Samuel Alito
A section of the Internet has swung in favor of Cohen’s remarks with one YouTube user commenting, “Alito must resign! Recusal is not enough.”
Others called for an investigation by the Department of Justice if Chief Justice Roberts cannot convince Alito to recuse himself.
"It's Not how you stand by the American Flag, it's how you Fly the American Flag, wave it Right," commented one. One user even described Alito as a “professional street corner hustler and con man, not a street lawyer.”
He further added, "Street lawyers possess a mindset, driven by common sense, to achieve success without being perceived as being incompetent and ignorant of the laws of the United States of America."
"That's an insult to street lawyers, and totally off the mark," wrote one more, another added.
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.
