Alito Rejects Recusal Calls in Tax Case Despite Democratic Concerns Over Lawyer's Interview
-
Justice Alito rejected calls from Democratic senators to recuse himself from a tax case where one of the lawyers interviewed Alito for the Wall Street Journal. Alito said there was no valid reason for him not to participate.
-
Alito said the lawyer, David Rivkin, participated in the interviews as a journalist, not an advocate. The case was never discussed.
-
Alito said justices often participate in cases where attorneys have publicly supported or opposed them. Recusing in such cases would disrupt the Court's work.
-
Alito said justices must put comments and connections with attorneys out of mind and judge cases solely on law and facts.
-
Democratic senators argued Rivkin's access to Alito could cast doubt on Alito's ability to remain neutral, but Alito rejected this theory.