Controversy at Justice Alito’s Home
The issue gained attention when an upside-down flag was spotted outside Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito’s home in early 2021.
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Justice Alito revealed that it was his wife, Martha-Ann Alito, who raised the flag, which sparked further debate.
Upside-Down Flags and Trump Supporters
Some supporters of former President Donald Trump have flown upside-down flags, linking it to claims that the 2020 election was stolen.
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This act has turned the upside-down flag into a “stop the steal” symbol for these groups.
The Flag as a National Symbol
American Legion National Commander Daniel Seehafer emphasized the flag’s significance.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
They said, “The American flag is a symbol of courage, strength, freedom, and democracy.”
The Flag Code Explained
Seehafer referenced the Flag Code, which details how the flag should be displayed.
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According to the code, an upside-down flag should signal “extreme danger to life or property.”
Justice Alito’s Explanation
Justice Alito told Fox News that his wife raised the upside-down flag following an argument with a neighbor.
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Martha-Ann Alito referred to the flag as “an international signal of distress,” explaining its display.
Questioning the Timeline
Neighbor Emily Baden questioned the timeline given by the Alitos.
Source: acnewsitics/X
She mentioned that she did not see the upside-down flag and that her argument with the Alitos occurred nearly a month after the flag was reportedly displayed.
The Neighbor’s Perspective
Emily Baden told NBC News that the Alitos seemed to imply the argument happened right before they raised the flag, which she called “a lie.”
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Her statement adds more scrutiny to the reasons behind the flag’s display.
American Legion and Past Flag Controversies
The American Legion has dealt with flag-related controversies before.
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In 2016, Donald Trump stated on X, formerly Twitter, that “nobody should be allowed to burn the American flag,” and the American Legion praised this stance.
Trump's Views on Flag-Burning
Trump suggested severe consequences for flag-burning, stating, “if they do, there must be consequences—perhaps loss of citizenship or a year in jail!”
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The American Legion supported this view, with then-National Commander Charles E. Schmidt saying, “no one should tolerate desecration of the American flag.”
Amendment Attempts
The Legion’s effort to ban flag-burning nearly succeeded.
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The most recent attempt failed by just one vote in 2006, showing how close they came to changing the Constitution.
The Legion’s Influence
With nearly 2 million members, the American Legion is the “largest wartime veterans service organization.”
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Their opinions on the American flag carry significant weight, reflecting their influence and commitment to national symbols.