Key Takeaways:
– Trump’s conversation with Justice Alito directly coincided with him filing a motion to postpone his sentencing in a New York criminal case.
– The legality of this call has been questioned, due to its potential to influence the court’s decision.
– Some speculate that the call may have been intended to flatter Alito or to confirm the loyalty of the Justice’s former clerk, William Levi.
Let’s Catch Up…
President-elect Donald Trump has been making waves yet again. His recent phone call to Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito has raised many eyebrows. Why, you ask? Well, the timing of the call. It happened to be right when Trump was filing a motion to delay his sentencing in his New York criminal case. This quite understandably has caused a stir. Legal experts are almost outraged, because it created a semblance of Trump trying to unfairly influence the court’s decision.
Alito’s Controversies
Justice Alito has his fair share of troubles. He’s been involved in a number of controversies. These include the improper acceptance of gifts and a MAGA insurrection symbol displayed at one of his family’s properties. Alito, however, dismissed the phone call controversy. He stated he was only acting as a reference for William Levi. Levi is a former law clerk that Trump is considering for the Department of Defense general counsel.
Does Alito’s Explanation Hold Up?
Court analysts Dahlia Lithwick and Mark Joseph Stern are skeptical about Alito’s explanation. They argue that Levi, who already served in Trump’s previous administration, would not require a reference. Their suspicion rises further as they delve into possible reasons behind the phone call.
The Levi Matter and the ‘Charm Offensive’
Dahlia and Stern suggest that Trump might have wanted to ensure Levi’s loyalty. Levi had played a major role in managing federal law enforcement during the Jan. 6 insurrection. Additionally, as an ardent supporter of the President-elect’s agenda, Alito could guarantee that Levi remains a firm believer in Trump’s cause.
Besides this, Dahlia and Stern consider that the call could be part of Trump’s ‘charm offensive’. This refers to Trump’s long-term strategy to butter up the justices he wants to retire. His tactics worked on Justice Anthony Kennedy, persuading the wavering vote that his seat would be safe in Trump’s hands. Trump may be planning to appoint many former Alito clerks, hence persuading Alito that there would be no threat to his replacement.
What Does This Mean?
Whether the call was for reassurance, flattery, or both, the questionable optics were evident to both men. It’s akin to that time when Bill Clinton had a brief tarmac meeting with Attorney General Loretta Lynch. People thought it was a sign of dwindling public trust in the Justice Department. Now, a similar scenario with Trump and Alito has emerged. Despite the oddity of a Supreme Court justice talking to a party with an urgent matter at the court, many seem to be unconcerned.
The discussions about this phone call are not only academic but serve to highlight larger ethical concerns about the separation of powers, the impartiality of our courts, and the transparency of our elected officials. These are fundamental aspects of our democracy, and they matter a great deal. Thus, it’s important that we continue to scrutinize events like these to ensure our democratic institutions remain robust and free from undue influence.