Roberts declines meeting with Senate Democrats about Alito controversy

SUMMARY

ChatGPT Chief Justice John Roberts declined a request to meet with Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Dick Durbin and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse regarding their push for Justice Samuel Alito to recuse himself from upcoming Supreme Court cases on the January 6th Capitol riot and the 2020 election. The Democratic senators requested the meeting following reports of flags flown over Alito's homes, arguing these incidents exacerbate the Supreme Court’s ethics issues. Roberts cited the rarity of such meetings and the importance of judicial independence as reasons for declining. Alito stated he would not recuse himself, attributing the flags to his wife’s actions.