ABC World News Tonight with David Muir Full Broadcast - May 29, 2024
Summary
TLDRIn tonight's broadcast, the spotlight is on the deliberations in Donald Trump's criminal trial, with the jury requesting key testimonies to be read back. Meanwhile, an American Airlines plane narrowly avoids a collision on takeoff. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito refuses to recuse himself from January 6th cases, blaming his wife for controversial flag displays. Top golfer Scottie Scheffler sees charges dropped in an arrest mishap amid new video evidence. President Biden appeals to Black voters in Pennsylvania, emphasizing his administration's accomplishments. Elsewhere, a Kroger's grocery store shooting, a deadly house explosion, and an update on the severe weather threat across multiple states are covered.
Takeaways
- đĸ Breaking news involves Donald Trump as a jury deliberates on his fate, with specific requests for testimony read-back signaling the jury's focus on his involvement in a meeting at Trump Tower prior to the 2016 election.
- âī¸ A near miss on an airport runway with an American Airlines jet at 110 miles per hour, seconds from takeoff, had to abort due to another plane in the path.
- đ Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito refuses to recuse himself from January 6th cases, attributing the controversial flags flown outside his homes to his wife and defending her right to free speech.
- đ The charges against world number one golfer Scottie Scheffler have been dropped after new body camera video was released, showing a misunderstanding with a police officer.
- đī¸ A shooting at a busy Kroger's grocery store in Cincinnati resulted in two suspects being wounded in a shootout with police, with no customers harmed.
- đĨ A deadly house explosion and fire in Middleton, Wisconsin, resulted in at least two fatalities, with authorities suspecting stored ammunition was set off by the blast.
- âĄī¸ A severe weather threat is looming across multiple states with the possibility of tornadoes and damaging winds expected from Houston to Dallas to Oklahoma City.
- đŧ Two giant pandas are promised to the Smithsonian Zoo in Washington, D.C. from China by the end of the year, with another pair also headed to the San Diego Zoo.
- đ Major League Baseball amends their official record books to include players from the Negro Leagues, with over 2300 players' stats from 1920 to 1948 now recognized alongside those of Major League players.
- đ Josh Gibson, who never played in the Majors due to segregation, is now recognized as the all-time batting average leader, surpassing Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth in multiple categories.
Q & A
What is the current situation regarding Donald Trump's criminal trial?
-The jury is currently deliberating on Donald Trump's fate. They have requested key testimony to be read back to them, specifically from David Pecker, the former publisher of 'The National Enquirer', and Michael Cohen, Trump's former lawyer and fixer, regarding a meeting at Trump Tower in August 2016. The jury is weighing 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to a hush payment to Stormy Daniels.
What does the jury's request for certain testimonies to be read back indicate?
-The jury's request for specific testimonies from David Pecker and Michael Cohen indicates that they are focused on the events and discussions that involved Donald Trump directly, particularly the meeting at Trump Tower which the prosecution argued was part of a scheme to corrupt the 2016 election.
What are the charges against world number one golfer Scottie Scheffler and what is the outcome?
-Scottie Scheffler was arrested in Louisville on charges of felony assault and other charges after an incident with a police officer at a golf tournament. However, all charges have now been dropped after new body camera video was released, showing that Scheffler was not aware the individual he interacted with was a police officer.
What is the significance of the meeting at Trump Tower in August 2016 in the context of the trial?
-The meeting at Trump Tower in August 2016 is significant because prosecutors argued that it was where a conspiracy to corrupt the 2016 election was hatched, involving discussions between David Pecker, Michael Cohen, and Donald Trump.
Why did the jury ask for the judge's instructions to be read again?
-The jury asked for the judge's instructions to be read again because New York law requires them to ask the judge to re-read any parts of the instructions if they have questions about the law, as they do not take the instructions into the deliberation room with them.
What is the context behind the controversy involving Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito?
-Justice Samuel Alito is facing controversy due to flags flown outside his homes that were connected to pro-Trump movements. He has refused to recuse himself from cases involving January 6th and has attributed the flying of the flags to his wife, stating that he was not involved in the decision and was unaware of the implications of the flags.
What was the near collision incident involving an American Airlines plane?
-The incident involved an American Airlines plane that was cleared for takeoff while a King Air plane was seconds from touchdown on an intersecting runway. Air traffic controllers realized the potential collision and instructed the American Airlines plane to abort takeoff, but the King Air plane had already landed. The American Airlines plane came to a halt just 1300 feet from the other plane.
What is the current situation with the shooting at a Kroger grocery store?
-There was a shooting inside a busy Kroger supermarket in Cincinnati. Two suspects were wounded during a shootout with a police officer. Customers were running for cover, and nearby stores were placed on lockdown. Fortunately, no one inside the store was hurt.
What happened in the deadly house explosion in Middleton, Wisconsin?
-A deadly house explosion occurred in Middleton, Wisconsin, outside Madison, resulting in at least two people being killed. Authorities believe that the explosion triggered the detonation of ammunition that was stored in the house.
What is Major League Baseball's decision regarding the Negro Leagues?
-Major League Baseball has decided to amend their official record books to include players from the Negro Leagues. Over 2300 players from 1920 to 1948 will now have their statistics included alongside those of Major League players, correcting a longtime oversight.
Outlines
đĸ Trump's Criminal Trial Deliberations and Jury Requests
The video script opens with breaking news on Donald Trump's criminal trial where the jury has begun deliberations. Within hours, they requested key testimonies to be read back, specifically involving a Trump Tower meeting prior to the 2016 election, with former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker and Trump's ex-lawyer Michael Cohen. The jury also asked for the judge's instructions to be re-read, indicating a potential focus on Trump's involvement in alleged corruption of the 2016 election. The deliberations concern 34 felony counts related to concealing a hush payment to Stormy Daniels. The judge emphasized the need for impartiality and a unanimous guilty decision on each count.
đī¸ Supreme Court Justice Alito's Refusal to Recuse Himself
The script then shifts to Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, who refuses to recuse himself from cases related to the January 6th insurrection, despite controversy over flags flown outside his homes. Alito attributed the flag flying to his wife, stating he was unaware of its significance and asked her to take it down, which she initially refused due to a neighborhood dispute. Critics argue that an ethics code is needed for justices to judge themselves impartially.
âī¸ Close Call on Runway Averted by Air Traffic Control
The video script details a near miss at a Washington, D.C. airport where an American Airlines plane was ordered to abort takeoff as another plane was seconds from landing on an intersecting runway. The incident, captured in air traffic control audio, saw the American Airlines plane screech to a halt at 110 miles per hour, narrowly avoiding a collision. The FAA has announced an investigation into the incident.
đī¸ââī¸ World's Top Golfer Scottie Scheffler's Arrest and Charges Dropped
The script discusses the arrest of world number one golfer Scottie Scheffler in Louisville, Kentucky, during a major tournament. Authorities have dropped all charges against Scheffler after new body camera video was released. The video showed a chaotic scene where Scheffler was handcuffed for allegedly assaulting a police officer. However, the video posted online indicated Scheffler was unaware the individual was a police officer. The incident is described as a severe miscommunication in a chaotic situation.
đŗī¸ President Biden's Appeal to Black Voters in Pennsylvania
The script covers President Biden's campaign efforts in Pennsylvania, focusing on his appeal to Black voters. Biden highlighted his administration's accomplishments, such as record low Black unemployment, capping prescription drug costs, and relieving student debt. The president also criticized Trump for alleged discriminatory practices. First Lady Jill Biden also weighed in on the importance of the upcoming election, urging voters to choose good over evil and expressing confidence in the American public's decision-making.
đŠī¸ Severe Storm Threat and Other Developing Stories
The video script concludes with a brief mention of a severe storm threat across multiple states, with the potential for tornadoes and damaging winds. Other developing stories include a shooting at a busy Kroger's grocery store, a deadly house explosion, and a new round of severe storms expected the following day. Additionally, Major League Baseball's decision to amend their official record books to include players from the Negro Leagues is highlighted, correcting a longtime oversight and honoring the legacy of these players.
Mindmap
Keywords
đĄDeliberations
đĄNational Enquirer
đĄMichael Cohen
đĄFelony counts
đĄSevere weather threat
đĄRecuse
đĄBody camera video
đĄNegro Leagues
đĄHush payment
đĄGrocery store shooting
Highlights
Jury deliberations begin in Donald Trump's criminal trial, with the jury requesting key testimony to be read back.
American Airlines passenger jet averts a potential collision with another plane on the runway at 110 miles per hour.
Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito refuses to recuse himself from January 6th cases, blaming his wife for controversial flags flown outside their homes.
Charges against world number one golfer Scottie Scheffler dropped after body camera video reveals misunderstanding.
Shooting at a busy Kroger's grocery store in Cincinnati with two suspects wounded during a shootout with police.
Deadly house explosion and fire in Middleton, Wisconsin, with at least two people killed.
New severe weather threat across multiple states with possible tornadoes and damaging winds expected.
Major League Baseball amends official record books to include players from the Negro Leagues, correcting a longtime oversight.
North Korea sends trash-filled balloons into South Korea as a form of retaliation for propaganda balloons sent from the South.
Two giant pandas promised to the Smithsonian Zoo in Washington D.C. by China before the end of the year.
President Biden makes a direct appeal to black voters in Pennsylvania, emphasizing his administration's accomplishments.
First Lady Jill Biden takes a more active role in the upcoming election, discussing the choice American voters face in November.
Evidence suggests an American-made bomb was used in Israel's deadly strike on a camp in Rafah, killing at least 50 people.
Police respond to a shooting inside a busy Kroger supermarket in Cincinnati with customers running for cover.
Authorities believe ammunition stored in a house in Middleton, Wisconsin, contributed to a deadly explosion and subsequent fire.
Millions on alert for severe storms with a dangerous line of storms expected to impact several states tomorrow.
Transcripts
>> David: TONIGHT, BREAKING NEWS
INVOLVING DONALD TRUMP.
THE JURY NOW DELIBERATING HIS
FATE AND THE TWO KEY QUESTIONS
LATE TODAY FROM THAT JURY.
>>> ALSO BREAKING, WE HAVE
LEARNED OF A VERY CLOSE CALL
BETWEEN AN AMERICAN AIRLINES
PASSENGER JET AND ANOTHER PLANE.
>>> FIRST TONIGHT, THE CASE GOES
TO THE JURY AND WITHIN HOURS THE
BELL RINGS IN COURT, THE FIRST
NOTE FROM THE JURY REQUESTING
KEY TESTIMONY READ BACK TO THEM.
WHAT THEIR REQUEST COULD SIGNAL
IN THE DONALD TRUMP CRIMINAL
TRIAL.
THEN AN HOUR LATER, THE REQUEST
REGARDING THE JUDGE'S
INSTRUCTIONS TO THE JURY AND
WHAT ALL OF THIS BEING MEAN.
>>> ALSO DEVELOPING THIS HOUR,
THE CLOSE CALL ON THE RUNWAY, AN
AMERICAN AIRLINES PASSENGER JET
BARRELING DOWN THE RUNWAY AT 110
MILES PER HOUR SECONDS FROM
TAKEOFF.
AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL CALLING ON
THEM TO ABORT.
ANOTHER PLANE IN THE PATH.
>>> TONIGHT, SUPREME COURT
JUSTICE SAMUEL ALITO REFUSING TO
RECUSE HIMSELF FROM CASES
INVOLVING JANUARY 6th DESPITE
THE FLAG SEEN FOR A TIME FLYING
OUTSIDE BOTH OF HIS HOMES.
TONIGHT, HE'S PUTTING THE
RESPONSIBILITY ENTIRELY ON HIS
WIFE.
>>> TONIGHT, THE NEW TURN THE
WORLD'S NUMBER ONE GOLFER
ARRESTED IN LOUISVILLE, NOW THE
CHARGES DROPPED AMID THE RELEASE
OF NEW BODY CAMERA VIDEO AND
WHAT IT SHOWS.
>>> THERE'S ALSO WORD COMING IN,
THE SHOOTING AT A VERY BUSY
KROGER'S GROCERY STORE.
POLICE RACING TO THE SCENE.
WHAT THEY REVEALED MOMENTS AGO.
>>> THE DEADLY HOUSE EXPLOSION
AND FIRE TONIGHT.
AUTHORITIES NOW SAYING AT LEAST
TWO PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED.
>>> TONIGHT, THE NEW SEVERE
WEATHER THREAT AS WE COME ON THE
AIR ACROSS MULTIPLE STATES,
POSSIBLE TORNADOES, DAMAGING
WINDS, THEN THE DANGEROUS
STORMS TAKING AIM TOMORROW.
>>> "AMERICA STRONG" TONIGHT.
THE MOVE BY MAJOR LEAGUE
BASEBALL TO MAKE SURE THE STARS
OF THE NEGRO LEAGUE, THAT THEIR
STATS ARE NOW PART OF THE
MAJORS, TOO.
>>> ALSO TONIGHT, NORTH KOREA
DROPPING BALLOONS ON SOUTH KOREA
AND WHAT WAS INSIDE THEM.
>>> AND THE GIANT PANDAS ON
THEIR WAY TO AMERICA.
>> David: GOOD EVENING, AND IT'S
GREAT TO HAVE YOU WITH US HERE
ON A VERY BUSY WEDNESDAY NIGHT.
WE DO BEGIN WITH THE BREAKING
NEWS INVOLVING DONALD TRUMP AND
HIS FATE IN THE HANDS OF THE
JURY.
THEY'RE FOUR HOURS INTO THE
DELIBERATIONS, THE SIGNAL INSIDE
THAT COURTROOM, THE BELL
RINGING, THE JURY AND THEIR
FIRST NOTE SENT TO THE JUDGE.
WITH VERY SPECIFIC REQUESTS FOR
TESTIMONY TO BE READ BACK TO
THEM.
THAT TESTIMONY INVOLVES A
MEETING AT TRUMP TOWER A LITTLE
MORE THAN A YEAR BEFORE THE 2016
ELECTION.
DONALD TRUMP WAS PART OF THAT
MEETING.
THEY WANT TO HEAR TESTIMONY READ
BACK FROM THE FORMER PUBLISHER
OF "THE NATIONAL ENQUIRER" DAVID
PECKER, AND DONALD TRUMP'S
FORMER LAWYER AND FIXER, MICHAEL
COHEN, AS WELL, ALSO AT THAT
MEETING, AND HIS TESTIMONY TOO.
LATER, ABOUT AN HOUR, THE BELL
RINGING AGAIN.
THE JURY ASKING FOR THE JUDGE'S
INSTRUCTIONS READ AGAIN JUST
HOURS AFTER THEY WERE FIRST
DELIVERED BY THE JUDGE.
DAN ABRAMS IS HERE TONIGHT AND
AARON KATERSKY AT THE COURTHOUSE
LEADING US OFF.
>> Reporter: TONIGHT, THE FATE
OF DONALD TRUMP, THE FIRST
FORMER PRESIDENT EVER TO FACE
CRIMINAL CHARGES, NOW IN THE
HANDS OF THE JURY.
LESS THAN FOUR HOURS INTO
DELIBERATIONS, A BELL RANG IN
COURT, SIGNALING A NOTE FROM THE
JURORS.
THEY WANTED FOUR PIECES OF
KEY TESTIMONY READ BACK TO
THEM INCLUDING TESTIMONY FROM
DAVID PECKER, THE FORMER
NATIONAL ENQUIRER PUBLISHER WHO
BOUGHT AND BURIED STORIES FOR
TRUMP, AND ONE FROM TRUMP'S
FORMER FIXER MICHAEL COHEN ABOUT
A TRUMP TOWER MEETING WITH TRUMP
IN AUGUST 2016, WHERE
PROSECUTORS SAID THE THREE MEN
HATCHED A CONSPIRACY TO CORRUPT
THE 2016 ELECTION.
AN HOUR LATER, JURORS SENDING A
SECOND NOTE ASKING JUDGE JUAN
MERCHAN TO RE-READ INSTRUCTIONS
HE DELIVERED JUST HOURS EARLIER.
MARCHAN TOLD THEM, AS A JUROR
YOU ARE ASKED TO MAKE ANOTHER
VERY IMPORTANT DECISION ABOUT
ANOTHER MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY.
MARCHAN MAKING THE TOINT POT
JURORS, THINK OF THE FORMER
PRESIDENT AS ANOTHER MEMBER OF
THE COMMUNITY.
MARCHAN ALSO TELLING THE JURY,
YOU MUST SET ASIDE ANY PERSONAL
OPINIONS OR BIAS YOU MIGHT HAVE
IN FAVOR OF OR AGAINST THE
DEFENDANT AND YOU MUST NOT ALLOW
ANY SUCH OPINIONS TO INFLUENCE
YOUR VERDICT.
THE JURY'S WEIGHING 34 FELONY
COUNTS OF FALSIFYING BUSINESS
RECORDS THAT PROSECUTORS SAY
TRUMP USED TO CONCEAL A
$130,000 HUSH PAYMENT TO PORN
STAR STORMY DANIELS.
TO KEEP HER STORY FROM VOTERS
BEFORE THE ELECTION.
JURORS MUST REACH A UNANIMOUS
DECISION OF GUILTY ON EACH OF
THOSE COUNTS.
THE JURORS WERE GIVEN A LAPTOP
TO TAKE WITH THEM INTO
DELIBERATIONS.
THE COMPUTER LOADED WITH NEARLY
300 PIECES OF EVIDENCE,
INCLUDING THE CHECKS TRUMP
SIGNED TO REIMBURSE COHEN, WHO
WIRED DANIELS THE MONEY, AND THE
INVOICES COHEN SENT THAT
MENTIONED A RETAINER AGREEMENT
THAT HE SAID DID NOT EXIST.
MERCHAN TOLD THE JURORS THEY MAY
NOT DECIDE THE CASE BASED SOLELY
ON COHEN'S TESTIMONY BECAUSE
HE'S AN ACCOMPLICE TO THE
ALLEGED CRIME.
IN OTHER WORDS, THE JUDGE SAID,
EVEN IF YOU FIND THE TESTIMONY
OF MICHAEL COHEN TO BE
BELIEVABLE, YOU MAY NOT CONVICT
THE DEFENDANT SOLELY UPON THAT
TESTIMONY UNLESS YOU ALSO FIND
THAT IT WAS CORROBORATED BY
OTHER EVIDENCE.
IN CLOSING ARGUMENTS, DEFENSE
ATTORNEY TODD BLANCHE TELLING
THE JURY COHEN "LIED TO YOU
REPEATEDLY," CALLING HIM THE
"GREATEST LIAR OF ALL TIME," THE
"MVP OF LIARS," AND SAYING
TRUMP'S FORMER FIXER CAME TO THE
WITNESS STAND BENT ON REVENGE,
WITH "AN AX TO GRIND."
PROSECUTOR JOSHUA STEINGLASS
SAID, WE DIDN'T PICK HIM UP IN A
WITNESS STORE.
THE DEFENDANT PICKED HIM AS A
FIXER BECAUSE HE WAS WILLING TO
LIE AND CHEAT.
THE 12 PERSON JURY, 5 WOMEN AND
7 MEN, INCLUDES 2 NATIVE
NEW YORKERS AND 2 IMMIGRANTS.
THERE ARE TWO ATTORNEYS, A
SPEECH THERAPIST, AND A TEACHER.
THEY ALL SAID THEY COULD BE FAIR
AND IMPARTIAL.
THE JUDGE WITH A FINAL MESSAGE,
URGING THEM TO LISTEN TO EACH
OTHER, BUT SAYING "YOU SHOULD
NOT SURRENDER AN HONEST VIEW OF
THE EVIDENCE SIMPLY BECAUSE YOU
WANT THE TRIAL TO END OR BECAUSE
YOU'RE OUTVOTED."
TRUMP SPEAKING OUTSIDE COURT --
>> MOTHER TERESA COULD NOT BEAT
THESE CHARGES, BUT WE'LL SEE.
>> Reporter: LATE TODAY INSIDE
THAT COURTROOM, DAVID, DEFENSE
ATTORNEYS AND PROSECUTORS STOOD
OVER THICK STACKS OF
TRANSCRIPTS, HASHING OUT WHICH
PORTIONS OF THE TESTIMONY TO
RE-READ TO THE JURY IN ADDITION
TO THE JUDGE'S INSTRUCTIONS.
THAT'S WHERE THE JURY WILL PICK
UP FIRST THING TOMORROW MORNING,
DAVID.
>> David: AARON KATERSKY LEADING
US OFF AT THE COURTHOUSE, AARON,
THANK YOU.
LET'S GET TO LEGAL ANALYST DAN
ABRAMS TONIGHT TO ANSWER SOME OF
YOUR QUESTIONS LIKELY AT HOME.
FIRST OF ALL, THIS WAS REALLY
INTERESTING BECAUSE WE HEARD THE
JUDGE INSTRUCT THE JURY TODAY
NOT TO BASE THEIR DECISION,
GUILTY OR NOT GUILTY, BASED
SOLELY ON MICHAEL COHEN.
WITHIN HOURS THEY ASKED THEIR
FIRST REQUEST, VERY SPECIFIC AND
THEY WANT TESTIMONY NOT JUST
FROM MICHAEL COHEN, BUT FROM
DAVID PECKER FROM "THE NATIONAL
ENQUIRER."
HOW SIGNIFICANT WAS THAT AND HOW
WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF HOW SPECIFIC
THEIR REQUESTS WERE SO EARLY ON?
>> LOOK, IT TELLS US THEY'RE
TAKING THE PROSECUTION'S THEORY
THEY'RE ASKING A LOT OF
QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS 2015
MEETING AT TRUMP TOWER WHICH
PROSECUTORS ARGUED WAS THE
BEGINNING OF THE SCHEME BETWEEN
DAVID PECKER AND MICHAEL COHEN
AND DONALD TRUMP.
AND THEN THREE OF THE FOUR
REQUESTS RELATE TO SPECIFIC
CONVERSATIONS WITH DONALD TRUMP
HIMSELF, BECAUSE THAT'S ONE OF
THE CRITICAL QUESTIONS IN THE
CASE IS EXACTLY WHAT DID DONALD
TRUMP KNOW ABOUT THIS, NOT WHAT
WAS MICHAEL COHEN DOING, BUT
WHAT DID DONALD TRUMP KNOW?
SO IT'S INTERESTING IF THE
JURORS NOW LASER FOCUSED ON
THOSE MEETINGS WHERE DONALD
TRUMP WAS PRESENT OR ON THE
PHONE.
>> THE BELL GOES OFF IN THE
COURTROOM, THAT WAS THEIR FIRST
REQUEST.
THERE WERE FOUR PARTS TO THAT
REQUEST.
AN HOUR LATER, THE BELL RINGS
AGAIN.
THEY WANT THE JURY INSTRUCTIONS
FROM THE JUDGE READ BACK TO THEM
AGAIN JUST HOURS LATER.
A LOT OF FOLKS AT HOME MIGHT
SAY, DOES THIS MEAN THERE'S
DISAGREEMENT INSIDE THE JURY
ROOM OR DOES IT MEAN THEY WANT
TO BE CLEAR-EYED ABOUT WHAT IT
IS THEY HAVE TO DECIDE HERE?
>> IT COULD MEAN THERE'S SOME
DISSENSION, BUT NEW YORK LAW IS
DIFFERENT THAN FEDERAL LAW IN
THE SENSE THE JURORS DON'T GET
TO TAKE THE JURY INSTRUCTIONS
BACK WITH THEM INTO THE JURY
ROOM.
SO IF THEY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS
ABOUT WHAT THE LAW IS THEY
LITERALLY HAVE TO ASK THE JUDGE
TO RE-READ IT IN COURT.
THE QUESTION IS GOING TO BE
EXACTLY WHAT IS HE GOING TO
RE-READ?
BUT THOSE JURY INSTRUCTIONS ARE
CRITICAL, AND THAT COULD BE
SOMETHING THAT THEY END UP
FIGHTING OVER AT SOME POINT IN
THE JURY ROOM.
>> David: DAN ABRAMS WITH US
HERE TONIGHT.
DAN AND AARON, OUR THANKS TO YOU
BOTH.
WE'LL SEE YOU AGAIN TOMORROW
NIGHT.
>>> WE TURN TO THE OTHER
DEVELOPING HEADLINE TONIGHT.
SUPREME COURT JUSTICE
SAMUEL ALITO REFUSING TO RECUSE
HIMSELF FROM CASES INVOLVING
JANUARY 6th DESPITE THE FLAGS
SEEN FOR A TIME FLYING OUTSIDE
BOTH OF HIS HOMES.
TONIGHT, HE'S NOW PUTTING THE
RESPONSIBILITY ENTIRELY ON HIS
WIFE.
TERRY MORAN COVERS THE COURT.
>> Reporter: AFTER DAYS OF CALLS
FOR HIM TO STEP ASIDE FROM ALL
SUPREME COURT CASES STEMMING
FROM JANUARY 6th BECAUSE OF TWO
FLAGS FLOWN OUTSIDE HIS HOMES,
TODAY JUSTICE SAMUEL ALITO TOLD
CONGRESS HE WILL NOT RECUSE
HIMSELF.
IN A LETTER TO LAWMAKERS, ALITO
WROTE THAT HE WAS NOT INVOLVED
IN THE DECISIONS TO FLY EITHER
OF THE FLAGS AT ISSUE, AND THAT
BOTH WERE RAISED BY HIS WIFE
MARTHA ANN, ADDING, "MY WIFE IS
FOND OF FLYING FLAGS.
I AM NOT."
"THE NEW YORK TIMES" FIRST
PUBLISHED THIS PHOTOGRAPH
SHOWING THE AMERICAN FLAG
OUTSIDE ALITO'S HOUSE, FLYING
UPSIDE DOWN, TRADITIONALLY A
SIGNAL OF DIRE EMERGENCY.
"THE TIMES" SAYS THE PICTURE WAS
TAKEN IN JANUARY 2021, JUST DAYS
AFTER THE JANUARY 6th ATTACK ON
THE CAPITOL.
SOME TRUMP SUPPORTERS THAT DAY
HELD UPSIDE-DOWN AMERICAN FLAGS
AS A SIGN OF THEIR REJECTION OF
JOE BIDEN'S ELECTION.
JUSTICE ALITO RESPONDED TO THE
STORY, BLAMING HIS WIFE.
ALITO ADDING TODAY, "AS I HAVE
STATED PUBLICLY, I HAD NOTHING
WHATSOEVER TO DO WITH THE FLYING
OF THE FLAG.
I WAS NOT EVEN AWARE OF THE
UPSIDE-DOWN FLAG UNTIL IT WAS
CALLED TO MY ATTENTION.
AS SOON AS I SAW IT, I ASKED MY
WIFE TO TAKE IT DOWN.
BUT FOR SEVERAL DAYS, SHE
REFUSED."
THE JUSTICE EXPLAINING THAT,
"SHE WAS GREATLY DISTRESSED AT
THE TIME DUE, IN LARGE PART, TO
A VERY NASTY NEIGHBORHOOD
DISPUTE."
ALITO DEFENDING HER RIGHT TO
FREEDOM OF SPEECH.
"MY WIFE IS A PRIVATE CITIZEN,
AND SHE POSSESSES THE SAME FIRST
AMENDMENT RIGHTS AS EVERY OTHER
AMERICAN."
BUT SOME LEGAL EXPERTS SAY
JUSTICE ALITO HAS A
RESPONSIBILITY TO APPEAR
IMPARTIAL AND THAT FLAG MAY HAVE
COMPROMISED HIM IN THE JANUARY
6th CASES.
THE OTHER FLAG, A PINETREE FLAG
SEEN IN THESE IMAGES PUBLISHED
BY "THE NEW YORK TIMES" OUTSIDE
THE ALITOS' NEW JERSEY BEACH
HOME LAST SUMMER, A
REVOLUTIONARY WAR FLAG ALSO
CARRIED BY SOME PRO-TRUMP
SUPPORTERS ON JANUARY 6th.
ALITO EXPLAINED THAT HIS WIFE
FLEW ALL KINDS OF FLAGS THERE --
TEAM FLAGS, COLLEGE FLAGS,
PATRIOTIC FLAGS, AND MORE,
ADDING, "I WAS NOT FAMILIAR WITH
THE 'APPEAL TO HEAVEN' FLAG WHEN
MY WIFE FLEW IT.
I WAS NOT AWARE OF ANY
CONNECTION BETWEEN THAT HISTORIC
FLAG AND THE 'STOP THE STEAL
MOVEMENT,' AND NEITHER WAS MY
WIFE."
CONGRESSIONAL DEMOCRATS AND SOME
LEGAL EXPERTS ARE SAYING ALITO'S
LETTER IS NOT ENOUGH AND IT
HIGHLIGHTS THE COURT'S REAL
PROBLEM, THE JUSTICES JUDGE
THEMSELVES, AND THE ONLY WAY TO