Justice Samuel Alito recorded controversial remarks that call compromise into question

Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito expressed support for returning the United States “to a place of godliness” and said, “there are differences on fundamental things that really cannot be compromised,” according to an interview secretly recorded video that made headlines Monday.

At an expensive June 3 Supreme Court gala, liberal documentary filmmaker Lauren Windsor adopted a conservative persona to extract controversial comments from the judge, who was recently criticized for displaying flags associated with Trump supporters at him.

“As a Catholic and as someone who truly cherishes my faith, I just don’t know if we can negotiate with the left in the way that needs to happen to end polarization,” Windsor said. Alito at the Supreme Court Historical Society’s annual dinner. “I think it’s about winning.”

“I think you’re probably right,” Alito replied. “One side or the other, one side or the other is going to win.”

The exchange was first reported in Rolling Stone.

It was unclear what specific issues the two were talking about, since Windsor only vaguely alluded to “the left” in American politics and asked Alito how to fix the polarization that seems endemic.

“There can be a way of working, a way of living together in peace,” believes the lawyer. “But it’s difficult, you know, because there are differences on fundamental things that really can’t be compromised. So it’s not like you’re going to split the difference.

Alito wrote the Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade guaranteeing a constitutional right to abortion in 2022.

Later, during his conversation with Windsor, he called polarization in the United States “very dangerous” and said Americans must work together to bridge the divide.

When Windsor said that those who believe in God must fight “to return our country to godliness,” Alito responded, “I agree with you. I agree with you.”

Rolling Stone published an article about the recording after revelations about gifts and free trips given to various judges by wealthy friends. Alito is already under fire for displaying flags at two residences that appear to support the January 6, 2021, insurrection and for refusing to recuse himself from cases related to the violent attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 election While critics say the flags demonstrate his lack of impartiality, Alito blamed his wife for the displays.

“They are shrouded in secrecy and we have seen them willing to overturn long-standing precedent in a truly extraordinary way,” Windsor told the Washington Post of the Supreme Court. “Americans are truly at a crossroads: Do we continue with a secular democracy, or do we allow a conservative majority to lead us down the path of Christian theocracy?

At the June gala, Windsor also spoke with Chief Justice John Roberts Jr., whose answers were markedly different from Alito’s.

“I believe the Founders were godly, as were the Christians, and I believe we live in a Christian nation and our Supreme Court should guide us in that path,” Windsor told Roberts.

“I don’t know if that’s true,” he replied.

Neither judge commented on the recordings Monday.

Supreme Court Historical Society President James Duff denounced Windsor’s methods.

“We condemn the surreptitious recording of judges at the event, which is inconsistent with the spirit of the evening,” Duff told the Daily News in a statement. “Participants are advised that discussion of pending cases, cases decided by this Court, or the jurisprudence of any judge is strictly prohibited and may result in loss of membership in the Society. »