In a recent op-ed for The New York Times, Judge Michael Ponsor, a federal judge appointed by Bill Clinton, criticized the upside-down flag flying at Justice Samuel Alito's home, calling it unethical and improper.

The controversial flag, which is associated with supporters of former President Donald Trump who believe that President Biden did not win the 2020 election, was seen flying at Alito's home in the weeks following the January 6 riot. Judge Ponsor argued that regardless of its legality, displaying the flag in that manner and at that time was highly inappropriate.

Ponsor, who serves as a senior judge on the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, emphasized the importance of maintaining public trust in the judiciary system, stating, "Courts work because people trust judges. Taking sides in this way erodes that trust." He criticized the Supreme Court, urging judges to refrain from engaging in actions that could compromise their perceived impartiality.

Addressing the fact that it was Justice Alito's wife who hung the flag, Ponsor acknowledged the complexities faced by judges' spouses but emphasized the need to avoid embarrassing their loved ones or complicating their professional lives. He noted that while individuals have the right to free expression, certain actions can be seen as undermining the integrity of the court.

The controversy surrounding Justice Alito's home continued when it was reported that an "Appeal to Heaven" flag, associated with Christian government ideals and popular among Trump supporters, was also flying at his beach home in New Jersey. The flag, known as the Pine Tree flag, dates back to the Revolutionary War.

Judge Ponsor concluded his op-ed by emphasizing the importance of ethical behavior among judges, asserting that it should be ingrained in their DNA rather than relying solely on laws and regulations. He highlighted the negative impact the flag display had on the public's perception of the court's integrity and called for enhanced ethical standards.

This is not the first time that Judge Ponsor has criticized the Supreme Court. In a previous op-ed, he questioned the ethics standards of the justices and advocated for the establishment of a formal ethical apparatus.

Following the flag controversy, Justice Alito is now facing calls to recuse himself from Trump-related cases by members of the media and Democratic lawmakers. The controversy surrounding the flag display has ignited a broader debate about the ethical responsibilities of judges and their spouses.

It remains to be seen how Justice Alito will respond to these calls for recusal and whether the incident will have long-term implications for the perception of the judiciary.