Alito Recuses From Major Climate Case at Supreme Court
Is this a long-overdue ethics fix or proof that recusal rules are applied selectively?
Above: Stock photo of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito. Image credit: Jay Janner/The Austin American-Statesman/Getty Images
The Spin
Left narrative
Stepping aside was the only honest move once Alito's holdings in oil companies stood to gain from gutting climate liability suits. Years of pressure were needed to force what basic ethics demanded from the start, which says everything about accountability at the high court. The public deserves judges whose portfolios aren't riding on the outcome.
Right narrative
One standard for recusal has to mean one standard for every justice, not just the ones progressives want off a case. Endorsing a judges' manual whose climate chapter was so slanted that it got pulled is a far clearer thumb on the scale than owning shares in companies that aren't even parties. If Alito is recusing, than Kagan should be doing the same.
