There is an aura of mystery surrounding federal judges. Despite their immense power to decide crucial political issues, in a sense when they assume roles on the bench we are expected to believe that they are automatons lacking the fundamental biases and beliefs that motivate nearly all sentient beings. Justice should be impartial.
This partly explains how you get a news cycle like this week’s, which is tied to Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito’s comments, which were reported by “Gonzo” reporter Lauren Windsor on the Supreme Court Confidentially recorded during an exchange with him at the Courthouse Historical Society’s annual dinner. turn out”heavy bomb” Report.
But is it really so?
Windsor, posing as a Catholic conservative, approached Alito behind closed doors and asked him a series of questions, although she has not yet released the full, unedited message. this part of her releaseI’ve included most of them in full to provide enough context, as follows:
Windsor: I know it must be terrible for your family, what you and your family are going through right now, so I’m sorry.
Alito: Thank you. Thank you so much. I’m grateful to you.
WINDSOR: But, and I’m sure you don’t remember this at all, but I’m asking you about the polarization in this country, about how we repair this rift. And given everything that’s happened over the past year, you know, as a Catholic, as someone who really values my faith, I just don’t know that we can negotiate a polarized end with the left in the way that we need to. I think it’s a question of winning.
Alito: I think you’re probably right. Whichever side it is, whichever side it is, will win. I have no idea. I mean, there can be a way of working, a way of peacefully coexisting. But it’s difficult, you know, because there are differences on fundamental things that really can’t be compromised. They really can’t compromise. So you don’t split the difference equally.
Windsor: That’s what I’m saying. It’s just, I think the solution is really to win the moral argument. Like, God-believing people in this country have to keep fighting for this to get our country back to a godly place.
Alito: I agree with you. I agree with you.
Dear reader, this is a bombshell.
Let’s record honestly what we’ve learned. We find out that Alito thinks one side in American politics will win – he doesn’t say which side, and doesn’t seem to know – which doesn’t strike me as particularly concerning given that our system is based on elections. Controversial statement, winning with someone. But more can be said controversial Comment exist Terms of according to Coverage “I agree,” Alito said in response to Windsor’s remarks about the importance of the country returning to a “land of godliness.”
Many people disagree with this idea, and that’s obviously their right. But considering Alito’s religious beliefs were no secret, describing it as scandalous is even surprising. He has been vocal about his Catholic faith, speaking at events sponsored by religious groups, and his social conservatism shouldn’t shock anyone who has read some of his decisions, including his 2022 majority decision. View exist Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization,overthrown Roe v. Wade and ruled that the Constitution does not provide a right to abortion.
Windsor also secretly taped Chief Justice John Roberts, who told her that the task of steering the country toward a more “moral path” was the task of “the people we elect” and not “lawyers.” When she retorted that the United States is “a Christian country and our Supreme Court should lead us down that path,” he responded: “I don’t know that we live in a Christian country. I know a lot of Jewish and Muslim friends who would say Probably not, and it’s not our job. Not to mention the “gotcha”, it’s a low bar to clear.
