Daily Supreme Court News Briefing - MAY 23, 2024
🗽A well informed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 23, 2024
People Power United declares the Supreme Court has become unhinged.
In response to recent Supreme Court shenanigans, People Power United - a progressive grassroots group - issued the following statement:
“The Supreme Court has become unhinged. There is no power like that of the people, and People Power United stands ready to protect our communities against any and all injustices,” said Laurie Woodward García of People Power United.
People Power United will continue to oppose such harm to our community and champion civil rights for all.
Daily Supreme Court News Briefing
Alito Flag(s)
New York Times: Another Provocative Flag Was Flown at Another Alito Home
Jodi Kantor, Aric Toler and Julie Tate report that during the summer of 2023, an “Appeal to Heaven” flag was flown outside a New Jersey beach house owned by Justice Alito. This flag is also associated with January 6th and support for Donald Trump.
Also covered by: New Republic, Forbes, Reuters, AP, Rolling Stone, Balls and Strikes
Slate: What These Stories About Samuel Alito’s “Provocative” Flags Are Really About
Dahlia Lithwick argues that these stories about Alito’s flags are actually a sign that Supreme Court reform needs to be central to this year's elections. She says this problem does not lie solely with the Chief Justice for not acting, or even with Senate Democrats for failing to implement oversight for the Court.
The Hill: Alito’s upside-down flag has destroyed confidence in the Supreme Court
Aron Solomon argues that the Supreme Court needs binding ethics and recusal standards to rebuild the public’s trust in the institution.
Alito Recusal and Investigation
Washington Post: New Alito flag report triggers fresh Democratic outrage
Theodoric Meyer and Leigh Ann Caldwell report on reactions to the report of a second flag flown outside Justice Alito’s property. They highlight calls from the left for Alito to recuse or for Congress to hold him accountable, as well as conservative calls to “leave the Supreme Court alone.”
The Guardian: AOC calls for Senate inquiry into flags flown at Samuel Alito’s homes
Michael Sainato and Chris Stein report that on Wednesday AOC called for the Senate to investigate Justice Alito. Chair Durbin earlier this week said he would not pursue an investigation, but that Alito needs to recuse himself from January 6th and election-related cases.
Judicial Nominations
Reuters: Biden passes 200th judicial confirmation milestone as election looms
Nate Raymond reports that on Wednesday President Biden reached his 200th judicial confirmation with the confirmation of Angela Martinez. He highlights the nomination records of previous presidents and notes that Biden is ahead of all of them for now.
Washington Post: Biden has appointed 201 judges, boosting diversity of federal courts
Tobi Raji reports on the diversity of Biden’s federal judges and notes that there are currently 22 pending nominees in the Senate. In order to break Trump’s record, all 22 would need to be confirmed in addition to 14 new nominees.
Bloomberg: American-Indian Judicial Nomination Stalled By Blue Slip Hold Up
Tiana Headley reports that the nomination of Danna Jackson is being held up because of blue slips.
General
Newsweek: Supreme Court Not 'Concerned With Justice,' Legal Analyst Warns
Kaitlin Lewis reports that “legal analyst Norman Eisen accused the U.S. Supreme Court of not being "actually concerned with justice" in light of the court's handling of former President Donald Trump's presidential immunity case.”
Slate: A Federal Judge Delivers Another Urgent, Scathing Warning About the Supreme Court
Mark Joseph Stern reports that in an opinion on Monday, Judge Carlton Reeves called for the abolition of qualified immunity. The opinion also included a “broader critique of the Supreme Court’s selective application of precedent—with a focus on the cavalier reversal of Roe v. Wade—as well as its pernicious distrust of democracy.”
Also covered by: New Republic
MSNBC: Why the Supreme Court may take a while still with its decision on Trump immunity
Jordan Rubin argues that the Supreme Court is not likely to issue a speedy ruling in the Trump immunity case because they have already shown a lack of urgency by taking this case up at a later stage and because the election is not directly at issue in the case.
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People Power United champions progressive values and power to the people.