Samuel Anthony Alito Jr., born on April 1, 1950, in Trenton, New Jersey, is an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. He was nominated by President George W. Bush on October 31, 2005, and took his seat on the court on January 31, 2006, following the retirement of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.
Early Life and Education: Alito grew up in Hamilton Township, New Jersey, where his father, Samuel A. Alito Sr., was the Director of Research and Planning for the New Jersey Legislature, and his mother, Rose Alito, was a schoolteacher. Alito attended Steinert High School in Hamilton, where he excelled academically and graduated as the class valedictorian in 1968.
He then enrolled at Princeton University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1972, graduating summa cum laude. During his time at Princeton, Alito was a member of the Concerned Alumni of Princeton, a conservative group that opposed affirmative action and the admission of women to the university.
After completing his undergraduate studies, Alito attended Yale Law School, where he served as the editor of the Yale Law Journal. He graduated with a Juris Doctor degree in 1975.
Legal Career: Following his graduation from law school, Alito clerked for Judge Leonard I. Garth of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit from 1976 to 1977. He then worked as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey from 1977 to 1981.
In 1981, Alito joined the Reagan administration as an Assistant to the Solicitor General, where he argued 12 cases before the Supreme Court. He later served as Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the Office of Legal Counsel from 1985 to 1987.
In 1987, President Reagan nominated Alito to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. He was confirmed by the Senate on April 27, 1990, and served on the Third Circuit until his elevation to the Supreme Court in 2006.
Supreme Court Tenure: Since joining the Supreme Court, Alito has been known for his conservative jurisprudence and has often sided with the court's conservative bloc. He has been a strong advocate for originalism, the legal theory that the Constitution should be interpreted according to its original meaning at the time it was ratified.
Alito has authored several notable opinions, including the majority opinion in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby (2014), which held that closely held for-profit corporations could be exempt from regulations that their owners religiously object to if there is a less restrictive means of furthering the law's interest.
He also wrote the majority opinion in Janus v. AFSCME (2018), which ruled that public sector unions cannot require non-members to pay agency fees, dealing a significant blow to organized labor.
Alito has been a consistent dissenter in cases involving LGBTQ+ rights, including Obergefell v. Hodges (2015), which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, and Bostock v. Clayton County (2020), which held that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act protects employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Controversial News: In December 2020, an upside-down flag, which had been adopted by some supporters of then-President Donald Trump who were contesting the victory of Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election, was seen flying over Justice Alito's front lawn. The incident occurred while the Supreme Court was considering a case related to the election, sparking concerns about the appearance of impartiality and the politicization of the court.
The flying of the upside-down flag, a symbol of distress or crisis, was interpreted by some as a sign of support for Trump's baseless claims of widespread voter fraud in the election. However, no direct statement was made by Alito or the Supreme Court regarding the flag.
This incident further fueled the ongoing debate about the role of the Supreme Court in American politics and the importance of maintaining the appearance of impartiality and independence from partisan influence.
Personal Life: Samuel Alito is married to Martha-Ann Alito (née Bomgardner), a former law librarian at the U.S. Attorney's Office. The couple has two children, Laura and Phil.

As a Supreme Court Justice, Samuel Alito has left a significant mark on American jurisprudence, particularly in the areas of religious freedom, free speech, and federalism. His conservative approach to constitutional interpretation has often placed him at odds with the court's more liberal justices, leading to numerous high-profile dissents and controversial opinions.
While his supporters praise his commitment to originalism and his defense of individual liberties, critics argue that his judicial philosophy is too rigid and fails to account for the evolving nature of society and the law.
Regardless of one's political or legal views, it is clear that Justice Alito's tenure on the Supreme Court has had a profound impact on the nation's legal landscape and will continue to shape American law for years to come.
However, incidents like the upside-down flag controversy have raised questions about the politicization of the Supreme Court and the need for justices to maintain a clear separation between their personal beliefs and their judicial responsibilities.
As the court continues to grapple with divisive issues such as abortion rights, LGBTQ+ equality, and voting rights, the actions and opinions of justices like Samuel Alito will remain in the spotlight, shaping not only legal precedent but also the public's perception of the court's role in American democracy.
The upside-down flag incident at Justice Alito's residence is not the first time that the Supreme Court has faced questions about the political leanings of its members. In recent years, the court has become increasingly polarized, with many high-profile cases being decided along ideological lines.
This polarization has led to concerns about the court's legitimacy and its ability to function as an impartial arbiter of the law. Some have argued that the appointment process for Supreme Court justices has become too politicized, with presidents and senators prioritizing ideological alignment over legal qualifications.
Others have pointed to the increasing influence of special interest groups and wealthy donors in the judicial selection process, arguing that this has led to a court that is more responsive to the priorities of the powerful than to the needs of ordinary Americans.
Despite these concerns, Justice Alito has remained a staunch defender of his judicial philosophy and his approach to constitutional interpretation. In speeches and writings, he has argued that the role of a judge is to interpret the law as it is written, not to impose their own policy preferences or to bend to public opinion.
Alito has also been a vocal critic of what he sees as the growing trend of judicial activism, arguing that courts should defer to the political branches on matters of policy and should only intervene when the Constitution or federal law has been violated.
This approach has earned him praise from conservatives who see him as a bulwark against liberal overreach, but it has also drawn criticism from those who argue that the court has a responsibility to protect individual rights and to serve as a check on the excesses of the political branches.
As the court continues to navigate these complex issues, the legacy of Justice Alito and his colleagues will continue to be shaped by their decisions and their approach to the law.
For Alito, this legacy is likely to be one of principled conservatism, marked by a deep commitment to originalism and a skepticism of judicial activism. Whether one agrees with his approach or not, there is no denying that he has had a profound impact on American law and on the direction of the Supreme Court.
As the nation continues to grapple with divisive issues and political polarization, the role of the Supreme Court in American life will only become more important. The decisions made by justices like Samuel Alito will have far-reaching consequences, shaping not only the legal landscape but also the fabric of American society for generations to come.
In this context, the upside-down flag incident at Justice Alito's home serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing the court and the need for justices to maintain a clear separation between their personal beliefs and their judicial responsibilities.
Only by upholding the highest standards of impartiality and integrity can the court hope to maintain the trust and confidence of the American people, and to fulfill its vital role as a guardian of the Constitution and the rule of law.
As Justice Alito and his colleagues continue to navigate these choppy waters, it will be up to them to chart a course that honors the best traditions of the court while also responding to the needs and challenges of a rapidly changing world.