Inverted American Flags Flown Recently at Supreme Court Judges' Homes

Concerns Raised by Controversial Flag at Justice Alito's Vacation Home

Washington Post: Second Inverted Flag Flown at Supreme Court Justice's Home

The display of an inverted American flag outside the Virginia home of Justice Samuel A. Alito has raised concerns about its potential political implications. The flag, considered a symbol of distress and has been used by anti-government groups, was flown on the same day as Alito's controversial decision in the Roe v. Wade case was leaked.

Just two years ago, a similar flag was flown outside the New Jersey home of conservative Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. The incident occurred during the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol, where rioters used the inverted flag as a rallying point.

Alito has sought to downplay the incident, claiming that he was not aware the flag was flying upside down and suggesting that it may have been a mistake by his housekeeper. However, his explanation has failed to quell concerns among many Americans, who see the flag as a clear symbol of support for anti-government extremism.

Religious scholar Matthew Taylor has provided historical context for the Appeal to Heaven flag, which was flown outside the US Capitol during the January 6th riot. According to Taylor, the flag has been used as a symbol of religious and political protest since the American Revolution.