Thursday, May 30, 2024

Opinion Today: Can Congress force Alito and Thomas to recuse themselves?

A congressman's argument for why the justices should have to sit out cases dealing with Jan. 6.
Opinion Today

May 30, 2024

Author Headshot

By Lauren Kelley

Deputy Op-Ed Editor, News

In the wake of a series of scoops from The Times's Jodi Kantor, Americans have found themselves asking an unlikely question: What is going on with the flags outside Justice Samuel Alito's homes?

In the justice's words, "My wife is fond of flying flags" — including a few that were also seen hoisted by supporters of Donald Trump outside the Capitol during the Jan. 6 insurrection.

As the Maryland representative Jamie Raskin points out in a guest essay for Times Opinion, the flag situation raises a more profound question: With two cases before the Supreme Court dealing with Jan. 6, should Justice Alito recuse himself?

And for that matter, should Justice Clarence Thomas do the same, given his wife's support of the effort to "stop the steal"?

In the essay, Representative Raskin lays out an intriguing path for getting the two justices to recuse themselves from the Jan. 6-related cases before the court.

"Everyone assumes that nothing can be done about the recusal situation because the highest court in the land has the lowest ethical standards — no binding ethics code or process outside of personal reflection," the congressman writes.

"Of course, Justices Alito and Thomas could choose to recuse themselves — wouldn't that be nice? But begging them to do the right thing misses a far more effective course of action."

You can read the plan Raskin has laid out for achieving that outcome.

Read the guest essay:

Here's what we're focusing on today:

Editors' Picks

A man in a blue UNRWA vest stands facing a wall.

Guest Essay

Israel Must Stop Its Campaign Against UNRWA

The commissioner of UNRWA calls for an end to Israeli attacks, both physical and verbal, against its staff and buildings.

By Philippe Lazzarini

More From Opinion

A student in graduation robes wearing a kaffiyeh and a mortarboard graduation cap decorated with a Palestinian flag.

Pamela Paul

And Now, a Real World Lesson for Student Activists

A generation raised to believe they could change the world learns that the rest of the world may not share their vision.

By Pamela Paul

A man behind a podium speaks. Above him, affixed to a curtain, is a large emblem of the Republican Party.

Katherine Miller

Election Security, Trump-Style

There are people who really believe the fraud claims in their hearts and people who don't but know how to make it sound like they do. Both seem likely to be a part of the Trump future.

By Katherine Miller

An illustration of a green cake with one slice cut out. The big cake is cut in slices of different sizes and topped with coins. The slice that's on the side has a tiny American flag sticking out the top and a fork with bite of the cake beside it.

Guest Essay

This Policy Issue Is Critical Above All Others

This is a choice between two fundamentally different visions for our country.

By Jacob S. Hacker and Paul Pierson

Donald Trump smiling on a stage next to two rappers, who are also smiling.

Charles M. Blow

How a Group of Rappers Became Trump Evangelists

The seemingly transactional relationship between hip-hop artists and a politician with legal troubles.

By Charles M. Blow

A person wearing a blue sweatshirt adorned with buttons supporting Robert F. Kennedy. One reads,

Gail Collins

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Is Worse Than a Spoiler

Voting for an independent candidate in a presidential contest does not make you principled.

By Gail Collins

a black and white photo of a shadow of two lovers on a rock in the ocean.

Nicholas Kristof

Less Marriage, Less Sex, Less Agreement

Bonds between men and women may be eroding when we need them most.

By Nicholas Kristof

Team Biden's Urgent Pitch to Black Voters in Philadelphia

But it's not easy to get tuned-out voters to care.

By Michelle Cottle

Is Trump Starting to Worry About a Conviction?

Railing at the judge, he said Mother Teresa couldn't beat the charges.

By Jonathan Alter

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, left, and the Labour Party leader Keir Starmer.

david wallace-wells

The Tories Will Lose the Election. But What Will Labour Win?

British voters are fed up with the Tories, and a change election seems inevitable. But Labour does not seem poised to capitalize on the moment.

By David Wallace-Wells

The Opinions

'All Rejections': What Happened to Entry-Level Jobs in America?

The class of 2024 is highly educated and still struggling to find work.

play button

9 MIN LISTEN

An illustration of a student looking in a book and seeing himself.

Soña Lee

letters

In the 'Demandingly Joyful Company' of Socrates and Plato

Responses to an essay about the role of liberal arts in higher education. Also: Tim Scott; political violence; saving Marilyn Monroe's house; FAFSA.

We hope you've enjoyed this newsletter, which is made possible through subscriber support. Subscribe to The New York Times.

Games Here are today's Mini Crossword, Wordle and Spelling Bee. If you're in the mood to play more, find all our games here.

Forward this newsletter to friends to share ideas and perspectives that will help inform their lives. They can sign up here. Do you have feedback? Email us at opiniontoday@nytimes.com.

If you have questions about your Times account, delivery problems or other issues, visit our Help Page or contact The Times.

Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance.

You received this email because you signed up for the Opinion Today newsletter from The New York Times.

To stop receiving Opinion Today, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. To opt out of updates and offers sent from The Athletic, submit a request.

Subscribe to The Times

Connect with us on:

facebooktwitterinstagram

Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices

LiveIntent LogoAdChoices Logo

The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018

No comments:

Post a Comment