'Not surprised': Justice Alito defends controversial speech as he marks 15 years on Supreme Court

[DonViejo]

John Fritze
USA TODAY

WASHINGTON – Associate Justice Samuel Alito, an anchor of conservative thought on the Supreme Court, said he wasn't surprised by the backlash he received recently following a gloves-off speech in which he asserted coronavirus restrictions had created a "constitutional stress test" by placing unprecedented limits on individual freedom.

Responding to a question about the fracas from USA TODAY, the court's fourth-most senior justice defended the parts of the Nov. 12 speech to the Federalist Society that drew the most controversy, noting they had come directly from several of his recent opinions – in some cases with nearly identical language.

"Virtually every substantive point in the Federalist Society speech was taken from one of my published opinions or an opinion I joined," Alito, who on Sunday marks his 15-year anniversary on the high court, said in a statement.

But Alito, who warned during the November speech that his remarks might be "twisted," also indicated he wasn't fazed or particularly startled by the blowback.

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https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2021/01/31/supreme-court-justice-samuel-alito-marks-15-years-high-court/6697388002/

[TwilightZone]

1. He shouldn't be surprised that people think he's a conservative hack...

because he is a conservative hack.

[msfiddlestix]

4. Well there's Conservative Hacks, and then there's Conservative Extremists..

And then there's White Privileged Whiny Conservative Extremists Hacks.

[dalton99a]

2. With simple care and maintenance, the Fascist robot may last for many years

[Atticus]

3. Why should anyone respect a Justice who only got his job because his wife sat behind

him at his conformation hearing and cried when he was asked "mean" questions?

[monmouth4]

5. His arrogance shines through so plainly..n/t

[samsingh]

6. America has filled enemies in key positions on the inside

[roamer65]

7. I hope he has a massive heart attack very soon.

Lights out kinda attack.

[Billytee]

8. Pack the court.