Justice Alito Responds to Criticism from Senate Democrats Over Interview with Right-Wing Commentator

In a rare move, Justice Samuel Alito of the Supreme Court issued a statement on Friday in response to criticism from Senate Democrats over his decision to grant two interviews to a right-wing commentator, advocate, and attorney with a case before the court.

Alito’s statement was in response to demands from Senate Democrats that he recuse himself from the upcoming Moore v. United States case, in which a couple is asking the court to redefine “income” for the entire U.S. The attorney in question, David Rivkin, is representing the plaintiffs in the case.

In his statement, Alito argued that the critics, including Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), fail to understand “the circumstances under which Supreme Court Justices must work.” He went on to explain that the interview he gave to Rivkin violated no ethical standards.

The statement comes amidst growing tensions over ethical issues surrounding the Supreme Court. Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee have been highly critical of the court for failing to adopt an ethics code, following reports of undisclosed paid trips taken by Justice Clarence Thomas and, on one occasion, by Alito. The committee approved an ethics code for the court on a party-line vote, though it is unlikely to become law.

Alito’s statement is a reminder of the ongoing debate over ethical standards for Supreme Court Justices. While the court has yet to adopt an official ethics code, Alito has argued that his decision to grant an interview to Rivkin was in line with the existing standards of conduct. It remains to be seen if the Senate will take further action on the issue.