Alito spoke to Trump before postponing the Supreme Court session
Alito spoke to Trump before postponing the Supreme Court session
This week the Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito spoke by phone with the president and designated Donald Trump to support a former legal clerk who is aiming for a post in the new government. However, Alito emphasized that he had no talks about Trump's ongoing attempt to postpone his conviction.
conversation about a recommendation for a former legal clerk
"William Levi, one of my former legal clerk, asked me to have a conversation with President Trump with regard to his suitability for a government position," said Alito in a statement published on Wednesday. "I agreed to discuss this matter with President Trump, and he called me yesterday afternoon."
Connection with Trump's legal challenges
According to information from ABC news Before Trump's application to delay his criminal trial in the event of black money payments in New York. It is not uncommon for judges to make job recommendations for former legal records who often remain closely connected to the judge. It is noteworthy, however, that judges speak to a future president, especially close to an important court application in connection with the first criminal conviction of a former president.
Criticism of the independence of the Supreme Court
The conversation could give the critics of the conservative court further reason to question the independence of the court of political influences, in particular by Trump. The designated president appointed three judges during his first term, and the court liked several top -class judgments in which the six conservative and three liberal supposed side.
Alito's statement on the conversations
Alito, who belongs to the conservative wing of the court, is repeatedly exposed to claims for resignation from his offices. The last criticism was last criticized according to two Rel = "NOFOLLOW" TARGET = "_ Blank" href = "https://www.nytimes.com/2024/22/us/JUSTICTICE-FLAG-APEAL-OTE-TML" TARGET = "_ blank"> New jersey
content of the conversation between Alito and Trump
In his explanation, Alito made it clear that he spoke to Trump on Tuesday and did not discuss the details of the procedure. "We did not talk about the emergency proposal he submitted today, and during our conversation I was not even aware that such an application would be submitted," said Alito. "We have also discussed any other ongoing or future matters that could come before the Supreme Court or earlier decisions of the Supreme Court in terms of the designated president."
reactions to the conversation
The transition organization of Trump did not initially respond to a request for a comment. Levi, who worked as his legal clerk during Alito's term in 2011, worked in all three branches of the federal government, including high -ranking positions. He was chief of staff of Attorney General William Barr during the first term of the Trump term and also worked as the main attorney for the Republican Senator Mike Lee from Utah.
legal consequences for Trump
Trump will find it difficult to get the Supreme Court to delay its conviction, since his case is still pending in New York and the state's highest court is hesitant to accept emergency applications in such cases.
political assessments
The Republican MP Tony Gonzales from Texas commented on CNNS Wolf Blitzer on Wednesday and said that he saw no problem in the conversation: "I think it is very positive that President Trump and his team have talks in all areas of the government," said Gonzales.
This story has been updated with additional details. Steven Contorno from CNN contributed to this report.