More on the Phone Call Between Trump and Alito
On Wednesday, I wrote about the ABC News Story on Trump’s phone call with Justice Alito. On Thursday, the New York Times offered a far more in-depth, and frankly confounding story. No, not confounding for the reasons you might think. I was confounded that multiple people in Trump’s orbit are leaking information to the New York Times to sabotage an Alito clerk from a position in the administration, and in the process creating problems for the Justice.
The story begins:
Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. received a call on his cellphone Tuesday. It was President-elect Donald J. Trump, calling from Florida. . . .
Justice Alito said in a statement on Wednesday that the pending filing never came up in his conversation with Mr. Trump and that he was not aware, at the time of the call, that the Trump team planned to file it. People familiar with the call confirmed his account. . . .
The circumstances were extraordinary for another reason: Justice Alito was being drawn into a highly personalized effort by some Trump aides to blackball Republicans deemed insufficiently loyal to Mr. Trump from entering the administration, according to six people with knowledge of the situation, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe private conversations.
I had to read that last sentence three times to figure out what was going on. (I am a fast writer but a slow reader.) Six people (six!) in Trump’s orbit spoke to the New York Times (of all publications!) about an effort to block an Alito clerk from obtaining a high-level appointment. Six is a stunning number. Articles usually cite “several” unnamed sources, but I can’t recall seeing a specific number, especially one that was so high. But in the process of talking to New York Times about this internal squabble, these conservatives dragged poor Justice Alito
Article from Reason.com
The Reason Magazine website is a go-to destination for libertarians seeking cogent analysis, investigative reporting, and thought-provoking commentary. Championing the principles of individual freedom, limited government, and free markets, the site offers a diverse range of articles, videos, and podcasts that challenge conventional wisdom and advocate for libertarian solutions. Whether you’re interested in politics, culture, or technology, Reason provides a unique lens that prioritizes liberty and rational discourse. It’s an essential resource for those who value critical thinking and nuanced debate in the pursuit of a freer society.
