Thu Jan 09 02:23:11 UTC 2025: ## Supreme Court Justice Alito Speaks with President-elect Trump Before Hush-Money Case Hearing

**Washington, D.C. – January 9, 2025** – Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito confirmed a phone conversation with President-elect Donald Trump the day before Trump’s Supreme Court appeal to delay his New York hush-money case sentencing. The call, initiated by Trump at the request of Alito’s former law clerk, William Levi, was ostensibly to discuss a potential job for Levi in the incoming administration.

Justice Alito stated that neither the emergency motion nor any other pending court matters were discussed. However, this assertion has drawn criticism. Gabe Roth, executive director of Fix the Court, called the conversation “an unmistakable breach of protocol,” asserting that such out-of-court communications with a judge involved in a case are inappropriate.

President-elect Trump’s legal team requested a delay in his sentencing, arguing it would disrupt the presidential transition and violate the Supreme Court’s prior ruling on presidential immunity. This latest development follows previous controversies surrounding Justice Alito, including calls for his recusal from Trump-related cases last year due to flags associated with the January 6th Capitol riot being displayed near his home. Justice Alito attributed the flags to his wife and refused to recuse himself.

A spokesperson for President-elect Trump has yet to comment. Carrie Severino of the conservative group Judicial Crisis Network (JCN) dismissed the incident as a routine reference check, claiming the situation was exaggerated to tarnish Justice Alito’s reputation. The call was initially reported by ABC News.

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