Trump praises Alito and Thomas, encourages his picks to be strong

Former President Donald Trump praised Supreme Court Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas on Thursday, but urged his own appointees to be more resolute.

During an interview on The Dan Bongino Show, Trump commended Thomas and Alito for their actions, particularly Alito’s decision not to recuse himself from cases involving January 6, 2021, and Trump. Trump did not openly criticize Justices Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett, but stated that they need to show strength.

“Alito is great,” Trump mentioned. “Thomas is great. The three I appointed, it’s still early, but people are beginning to warm up to them. However, they need to toughen up. Alito has been steadfast and Thomas has done well.”

“The position is crucial, a big deal, but they need to demonstrate strength,” he added. “They face pressure, trying to intimidate them. They are human, after all. They try to use tactics like Bobby Knight, who would shout and scream, but ultimately accepting unfavorable calls by referees and focusing on the next one. That’s what they do with our judges.”

In a post on Truth Social on Wednesday, Trump praised Alito as an example for all U.S. judges, justices, and leaders to follow.

“Kudos to United States Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito for displaying the intelligence, courage, and ‘guts’ to not recuse himself from making decisions related to January 6th. All U.S. Judges, Justices, and Leaders should show such determination – our nation would be far more advanced than its current state as a failing nation led by the worst President in American History, Crooked Joe Biden!”

Democrats have called for Alito’s recusal from January 6 and Trump-related cases due to two flags flown at his residences in the past three years. In letters to Congress members, Alito explained that his wife was responsible for flying an upside-down American flag at their Virginia home in 2021 and an “Appeal to Heaven” flag at their New Jersey beach house last year. Both flags are similar to those carried by protesters during the Capitol breach on January 6, 2021.

Thomas has faced calls for recusal over allegations that his wife supported Trump’s efforts to investigate election fraud and challenge the 2020 election results.

Rep. Bill Pascrell, D-N.J., criticized Thomas for participating in a Supreme Court hearing on Trump’s eligibility after his wife allegedly supported Trump’s actions to overturn the government. Pascrell called for Thomas’s resignation, citing a lack of public trust in the court.