Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito has sparked outrage by flying an inverted American flag at his home, signaling support for the Capitol insurrection in the days following January 6, 2021. This shocking display of fascist sympathies is just the latest example of Alito’s disdain for democracy and his willingness to undermine the rule of law.
As reported by the New York Times, photographs and testimony from Alito’s neighbors show that the inverted flag was flown on January 17, 2021, at the same time Alito was attempting to get the court to take a case undermining the 2020 election.
Alito has since offered a glib rebuttal, blaming his wife for flying the flag as a “response to a neighbor’s use of objectionable and personally insulting language on yard signs.”
Alito’s Snide Rebuttal of His Jan. 6 Flag Display is a Slap in the Face to Democracy
However, this excuse has been widely dismissed as a lie, with many pointing out that the inverted flag is a well-known symbol of support for Trump’s lies about the election and the MAGA riot on the Capitol.
Alito’s actions are part of a larger pattern of fascist radicalism among Republicans, who are increasingly open about their disdain for democracy and their willingness to use violence to achieve their goals.
As Adam Serwer recently wrote in the Atlantic, Alito “expects the public to silently acquiesce” to his authority “without scrutiny, criticism, or protest.” This attitude is shared by many Republicans, who are working to undermine democracy and establish a fascist regime in the United States.
Despite the gravity of this situation, it’s important to remember that the fight for democracy is far from over. President Joe Biden’s presence in the White House shows that democracy prevailed in 2020, and Trump’s ability to mount another coup will be hamstrung by the fact that he’s out of office and has fewer levers of power.
By continuing to speak out and resist fascist radicalism, we can help ensure that democracy survives and thrives in the United States.
