Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) urged Senate Democrats to initiate “active investigations” into two distinct reports that revealed the presence of flags linked to the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack outside Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito’s residence.
In an interview on MSNBC’s “All in with Chris Hayes,” Ocasio-Cortez expressed her concern over the significant breach of trust and the undermining of democracy that is currently unfolding within the Supreme Court. She described the situation as an extraordinary challenge to the core principles of our democratic system.
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According to Ocasio-Cortez, Samuel Alito has aligned himself with the individuals who stormed the Capitol on January 6. She raised concerns about Alito presiding over court cases that hold significant implications for the participants of that rally. Ocasio-Cortez emphasized the importance of Democrats taking responsibility for defending democracy in the face of this threat.
According to The New York Times, a flag carried by the rioters who stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021, was briefly displayed outside Alito’s vacation home. This revelation has prompted remarks from Ocasio-Cortez.
The New York Times reported that an “Appeal to Heaven” flag was observed flying outside Justice Alito’s beach house in New Jersey in July and September of 2023. This flag, which has historical roots dating back to the Revolutionary War, is now associated with Christian nationalism and the current “Stop the Steal” movement. Interestingly, this occurred around the same time that a significant Jan. 6 case was brought before the Supreme Court.
Just days ago, the Times reported that an American flag was flown upside-down outside Alito’s Virginia home in January 2021. This occurred around the same time when rioters stormed the Capitol during the certification of Joe Biden’s election win over then-President Trump.
The upside-down flag has also become a symbol associated with the “Stop the Steal” movement, which originated from unfounded allegations of election fraud in 2020. Justice Alito revealed that his wife displayed the flag as a result of a dispute with their neighbors.
In an interview on Wednesday, the progressive from New York emphasized that Democrats, who hold a narrow majority in the Senate but are in the minority in the House, should not delay in investigating Alito. They should not rely solely on the next election in hopes of securing majorities in both chambers.
In a statement, Ocasio-Cortez urged Senate Democrats to initiate investigations without delay.
“I believe we don’t need to wait for a Democratic House majority to take action, as we already have a Democratic Senate majority,” she expressed. “In the Senate, we possess the power to issue subpoenas and conduct active investigations.”
According to the speaker, Democrats are not only getting ready to secure the majority in the House, but they are also gearing up to take a more expansive approach in defending democracy. She emphasizes the importance of utilizing their power effectively and taking action when Democrats are in a position of authority.
“We must shift our focus from perpetual campaigning to effective governance. It is crucial that we hold ourselves accountable and utilize every available resource to achieve our goals,” she emphasized. “We cannot afford to become complacent, whether it is the Senate majority, House majority, or the White House.”
“We must recognize the significance of every single minute and make the most of our power while we still possess it.”
