Summary

Justice Samuel Alito, a self-described Originalist, has been criticized for allegedly disregarding the Constitutionā€™s text when it conflicts with his personal views.

Recently, it emerged that Alito accepted a knighthood from a European order, despite the Constitutionā€™s ban on foreign titles for U.S. officials.

This title, from the House of Bourbonā€“Two Sicilies, raises questions about Alitoā€™s commitment to American democratic ideals, which the Framers aimed to protect from foreign influence.

Critics argue that Alitoā€™s actions reflect hypocrisy in his supposed adherence to Originalism and constitutional principles.

  • Boddhisatva@lemmy.world
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    15 days ago

    Those were honorary knighthoods that generally mean nothing. OPs article claims that Alito pledged ā€œan oath to the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George.ā€ That is an entirely different thing if true. As the saying goes, a man cannot serve two masters. If he has pledged an oath to this order and the Constitution of the United States of America, which takes precedence in his mind?

    • DragonTypeWyvern@midwest.social
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      15 days ago

      Iā€™d certainly never accuse Reagan and a Bush of being Christo-fascist neocrusaders who innately hold anti-republican and anti-democratic ideals.

    • iknowitwheniseeit@lemmynsfw.com
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      15 days ago

      The ā€œcannot serve two mastersā€ argument was used as a reason not to elect the first Catholic US President, JFK. I find it to be pretty uncompelling.

      The important thing is that the US not recognize any titles.

      • Maggoty@lemmy.world
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        15 days ago

        I would find it uncompelling if this wasnā€™t one of 9 people we trust to actually enforce the Constitution, and it was just their religion. No he knew this was unconstitutional and sought it out anyways.