Neighbor called the police in 2021 after an altercation with Justice Alito’s wife, per New York Times.

A recent report by CNN detailed an incident involving Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito’s wife, Martha-Ann Alito, and a neighbor in Fairfax County, Virginia. The neighbor called the police in 2021 following an exchange with Martha-Ann, stating that “Somebody in a position of authority needs to talk to her and make her stop.” This call was placed after the neighbor put up yard signs critical of Republicans, to which Martha-Ann responded by hoisting an inverted US flag outside their home in response to the neighbor’s language on the signs. Despite the call to the police, no action was taken.

The neighbor, whose husband made the call to the police, did not respond to CNN’s request for comment. The Supreme Court also did not provide a comment on the matter. The situation arose as a result of the ongoing story of the inverted flag being displayed outside the Alito’s home in 2021, just before President Joe Biden’s inauguration. This flag became a symbol for supporters of former President Donald Trump and was prominently seen during the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol.

Justice Alito has faced significant criticism for the display of the inverted flag, with calls for him to recuse himself from cases involving Trump and the Capitol attack coming from both Democrats and some GOP senators. Following the controversy surrounding the inverted flag, the New York Times published images of a second flag, known as the “Appeal to Heaven” flag, being hoisted at Alito’s New Jersey home. This flag, with a history dating back to the Revolutionary War, has also become a symbol for Trump’s supporters.

The incident involving Justice Alito’s wife and the neighbor highlights the intense political divisions present in the US, with disagreements often escalating to confrontations between neighbors. The call to the police underscores the frustration and concern of the neighbor regarding the display of the inverted flag, its association with the January 6 attack, and the broader political implications. Justice Alito’s response to the controversy and the subsequent display of the “Appeal to Heaven” flag further deepens the perception of political alignment and symbolism associated with his household.

As the situation continues to unfold, Justice Alito faces mounting pressure to address the concerns surrounding the flags displayed outside his homes. The public scrutiny and criticism directed towards him highlight the scrutiny faced by public figures, especially those serving on the Supreme Court. The controversy also raises questions about the boundaries between personal expression, political symbolism, and the responsibilities of public officials in upholding the integrity and impartiality of the judicial system. The eventual resolution of this issue may have broader implications for how political beliefs and affiliations are perceived and expressed in the public sphere.