Prominent conservative figures have come to the defense of a Revolutionary War-era flag after liberal politicians and media outlets attempted to label it as a symbol associated with the January 6th Capitol riot and link it to Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito.

The flag in question, known as the "Appeal to Heaven" or Pine Tree flag, has a rich history as a patriotic emblem flown by Americans during the Revolutionary War. It has also made appearances in modern contexts, such as a 1968 U.S. postage stamp and its display outside San Francisco City Hall in 2019.

Conservatives swiftly rejected the notion that the flag represents support for insurrectionist movements or former President Donald Trump's "Make America Great Again" campaign. Carrie Severino, President of the Judicial Crisis Network, described the attempt to associate the flag with the rioters as a "conspiracy theorist guilt by association."

The controversy surrounding Justice Alito's alleged connection to the flag arose when media reports highlighted its presence at his vacation house in New Jersey last summer. However, The Washington Post later revealed that the flag was raised by Martha-Ann Alito, Justice Alito's wife, as part of a neighborly dispute and not as a political statement.

Prominent liberals, including Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and MSNBC anchor Chris Hayes, seized on these reports to paint Justice Alito as sympathetic to pro-Trump insurrectionists. However, conservatives pointed out that the flag symbolizes the values that shaped America, rather than any extremist ideologies.

Former Vice President Mike Pence termed the attack on Justice Alito as "absurd" and "anti-historical." Pence explained that the flag was commissioned by George Washington himself in 1775 and was used as a maritime flag of Massachusetts during the Revolutionary War.

Conservatives, such as author and political scientist Dr. Carol Swain, defended the flag's significance, highlighting its association with appeals to God and support for traditional values. Swain argued that the left's reaction to the flag demonstrated a willingness to distort the truth for their own agenda.

Social media users further countered the narrative by pointing to the flag's appearance on a 1960s postage stamp and its display outside San Francisco City Hall during the annual Women's March in 2019, showcasing its non-political and historic nature.

Carrie Severino emphasized that being patriotic, as demonstrated by flying the American flag or the Pine Tree flag, should not be construed as a judge telegraphing their opinions or positions in a particular case. She viewed it as a pro-American statement reflective of the country's rich history and tradition of appealing to divine favor.

While the controversy surrounding the flag and its connection to Justice Alito persists, conservatives maintain that its historical significance should not be overshadowed by attempts to associate it with the Capitol riot or political agendas.