Justice Alito Confirms Call with Trump, Denies Knowledge Of Hush-Money Case Motion
Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito confirmed on Wednesday that he had spoken with President-elect Donald Trump about a former law clerk the day before Trump visited the Supreme Court to request a delay in his sentencing for a New York hush-money case.
Alito explained that the call, made on Tuesday afternoon, was initiated by his former law clerk, William Levi, who had asked for a recommendation for a position in the incoming administration. The two did not discuss the emergency motion or any other court-related matters during their conversation, the justice clarified.
“I was not even aware at the time of our conversation that such an application would be filed,” Alito stated. He added that they also did not address any potential future cases that might come before the court. While it is common for justices to recommend former clerks for prestigious roles in government or law firms, a direct conversation with a sitting president is unusual, particularly when that president has ongoing legal matters before the court.
Levi, who clerked for Alito from 2011 to 2012, had also served as chief of staff to former Attorney General Bill Barr during Trump’s first term.
Gabe Roth, executive director of the nonpartisan group Fix the Court, criticised the call as “an unmistakable breach of protocol.” He added, “No person, no matter who they are, should engage in out-of-court communication with a judge or justice who’s considering that person’s case.”
Carrie Severino, president of the conservative Judicial Crisis Network, defended the call on social media, dismissing it as a “manufactured ‘ethics’ scandal” designed to discredit the justice.
Trump’s legal team is seeking a delay in his sentencing on 34 felony charges of falsifying business records related to a hush-money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels. Trump has denied any wrongdoing. His attorneys argue that the sentencing could interfere with the presidential transition and breach the Supreme Court’s earlier ruling on presidential immunity in a separate case involving Trump.
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The conversation between Alito and Trump was first reported by ABC News.
Alito had previously faced calls for recusal from two key cases involving Trump after it was revealed that flags associated with Trump supporters involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot had been displayed outside his homes. Alito denied any wrongdoing and rejected the calls to step aside.
