Alito says he had ‘no involvement’ in upside-down flag flying at home

Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito said he had “no involvement” in the upside-down American flag flying at his home in Alexandria, Va., following the 2020 election, a symbol associated with the “Stop the Steal” efforts premised on false claims of ballot fraud.

The upside-down flag was flown at this house on Jan. 17, 2021, The New York Times reported Thursday along with photos from that time. Alito blamed the flag on his wife, Martha-Ann Alito.

“I had no involvement whatsoever in the flying of the flag,” the justice told the paper when asked about the flag. “It was briefly placed by Mrs. Alito in response to a neighbor’s use of objectionable and personally insulting language on yard signs.”

The flag appeared outside the conservative justice’s residence just days following the Jan. 6, 2021, riot on the Capitol where some attackers carried similar flags. During that period, the nation’s highest court was looking into whether it would consider some cases related to the 2020 election. 

The Times said it was unclear how long the flag flew outside Alito’s home.