Neighbor Of Justice Samuel Alito Contradicts His Account Of Upside-Down U.S. Flag Dispute

The former neighbor of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito recounted her experience in the dispute that led to Alito flying an upside-down U.S. flag. The neighbor, Emily Baden, spoke about the incident in a CNN segment.

The incident occurred days after the January 6 Capitol riot in 2021. Alito and Baden had several tense run-ins, also involving Baden’s partner. In January 2021, an upside-down American flag was placed on Alito’s property. An upside-down flag has been historically used as a distress signal but has also been linked with movements like “stop the steal.”

Alito claimed the flag was flown upside-down after a “very nasty neighborhood dispute” with Baden. The Justice later said his wife, Martha-Ann Alito, flew the flag alone after Baden allegedly called her a “c—.”

“My wife is fond of flying flags,” Alito stated. “I am not.”

However, Baden said the incident only occurred in mid-February, long after Baden flew the upside-down flag. Records also show Baden’s then-boyfriend, now husband, calling the police on Martha-Ann for “unprompted” harassment. 

In the CNN interview, Baden said initial tensions rose due to signs posted in Baden’s yard containing profanity.

Baden claimed Alito “didn’t do anything” as she exchanged words with Martha-Ann over the matter. Baden regretted using foul language, saying it “distracts from that real message.”

Baden recounted in great detail the numerous incidents she had involving Martha-Ann. After Baden and her husband posted the signs criticizing Trump, she claims Martha-Ann would stop and glare at her and her husband’s car when they returned home. She added that one day, Martha-Ann referred to Baden, her husband and Baden’s mother, by full name despite Baden never once properly introducing herself. The incident prompted Baden’s husband to phone the police.

The last incident occurred on February 15, also the day Baden’s husband called authorities. The police claimed they were unable to take any further action but advised Baden’s husband to call again if anything else happened. They also said they would contact the Alitos’ protective detail. 

After reports about the flag at the Alito’s home, a report surfaced about a right-wing flag being flown at the Alito’s beach house in New Jersey.