In a recent development, Conservative Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito has chosen not to step aside from two pending cases relating to former President Donald Trump and the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. This decision comes in light of recent news reports surrounding contentious flags raised at his private properties.

Alito addressed the issue in letters to both Senators and members of the House of Representatives who called for his recusal. According to the letters, the incidents involving flags at his home in Virginia and a vacation property in New Jersey, which were first reported by The New York Times, do not meet the criteria for recusal as per the Supreme Court's newly adopted ethics code.

Asserting that a reasonable person, unaffected by political or ideological influences, would conclude that no recusal was necessary, Alito emphasized that he had no involvement in the decision to fly either flag. He clarified that the flags were raised by his wife, Martha-Ann Alito.

One incident involved an upside-down U.S. flag being flown shortly after the January 6th attack and President Joe Biden's inauguration, as reported by neighbors. The second incident saw a flag bearing the motto "Appeal to Heaven," associated with conservative Christians, being raised the following year at the vacation property. Both flags have been embraced by some Trump supporters connected to the Capitol attack.

It is noteworthy that the Supreme Court is currently deliberating on two cases related to the events of January 6th. One case focuses on Trump's claim of presidential immunity in his election interference case, while the other involves an appeal by a man prosecuted for his role in the Capitol attack. Rulings on these cases are expected by the end of June.

As per the Supreme Court's ethics rules, individual justices have the final say on whether or not to recuse themselves from a case. Alito's decision not to recuse himself in light of the flag reports underscores his stance that the incidents, as described, do not warrant his exclusion from the proceedings.

This development adds further fuel to the ongoing debates surrounding the impartiality and ethics of Supreme Court justices, with critics raising concerns about potential biases. As the two aforementioned cases progress, all eyes will be on the Supreme Court for their rulings in the coming weeks.