Hakeem Jeffries blasted as he slams Justice Clarence Thomas and calls Samuel Alito 'insurrectionist-sympathizer' for refusing recusal

WASHINGTON, DC: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-NY, condemned Justice Clarence Thomas and called Bush-appointed Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito an "insurrectionist sympathizer" in remarks to Fox News on Friday, June 14. 

Jeffries' snide remark was made while Alito and his spouse, Martha-Ann, are still being criticized for having flown the "Appeal to Heaven" flag in the past. The flag has a white background with a pine tree on it, according to the outlet.

The flag became associated with the 2021 Capitol protests

Due to some protesters breaking into the complex and carrying the flag around in an apparent nod to its Colonial significance, the flag became linked to the January 6, 2021, Capitol protests.

The flag itself has historical significance and was first used in a maritime setting during the American Revolution by ships of the Continental Army in the 1770s.

The caption that reads "appeal to heaven" highlights the colonists' faith that God would save them from the oppressive rule of the British, and the pine tree is both the state tree and a symbol of Maine.

What did Hakeem Jeffries say about criticisms of Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas?

Jeffries told Fox News correspondent Chad Pergram that "the American people almost uniformly agree that the right-wing justices on the Supreme Court are completely and totally out of control" in response to questions concerning criticisms against Justices Alito and Thomas.

"It appears that Justice Alito is an insurrectionist-sympathizer, joined by his right-wing buddy Clarence Thomas," Jeffries said, as Democrats often utilize the term to describe those involved in the protests, as well as former President Donald Trump.

Hakeem Jeffries on the meeting between Donald Trump and Republicans

Jeffries called the meeting between Trump and Republicans on Capitol Hill "shameful and an embarrassment that [they] wanted to welcome the insurrectionist-in-chief back as a conquering hero."

According to Jeffries, since Trump nominated three justices, there have been much more "aggressively partisan, right wing, extreme decisions" and the high bench is unable to police itself in terms of ethics. "[T]his is why Democrats after the fall of 2022 are winning… and overperforming."

Justice Samuel Alito responded to criticisms of the Appeal to Heaven flag in May

In May, Alito told Fox News that his wife had put up the Appeal to Heaven flag for an unrelated purpose in response to criticism that it had been flown at his Alexandria, Virginia, home following the Capitol protests. 

Alito asserted that Martha-Ann had put it there in retaliation for taunts from a neighbor, citing the neighbor's "F--- Trump" sign as the catalyst for the altercation near a school bus stop.

In a recent letter, Alito vehemently disagreed with the requests of Democratic Senators Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island and Dick Durbin of Illinois that he recuse himself from Trump v United States and any cases involving January 6.

"[Martha-Ann] did not fly it to associate herself with that or any other group and the use of an old historic flag by a new group does not necessarily drain that flag of all other meanings," Alito wrote.

"A reasonable person who is not motivated by political or ideological considerations or a desire to affect Supreme Court cases would conclude that this event does not meet the applicable standard for recusal. I am therefore duty-bound to reject your recusal request," he added.

Internet reacts to Hakeem Jeffries condemning Justice Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito

Netizens gave their opinions following Jeffries' criticism of Justice Thomas and Alito.

One X (formerly Twitter) user penned, "That's only because he hates America and thinks it's good to put his political opponents in prison."

Another wrote, "More signs of panic in the party." "Judicial bias, left or right, is not a good thing," one user opined. 

"If the Democrats are upset, then he is doing a great job," added another user.

"I think the discount Obama should be concerned about the terrorist sympathizers in his party!!" echoed one.

"Pay no attention to Jeffies, the election denier," commented one user.

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.