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Samuel Alito: A Conservative Force on the Supreme Court
Life and Career
Samuel Anthony Alito Jr. (born April 1, 1950) is an American jurist serving as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States since 2006. A graduate of Princeton University and Yale Law School, Alito spent his early career in private practice and as a law clerk. He was appointed to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals in 1990 by President George H.W. Bush and served there until his elevation to the Supreme Court by President George W. Bush in 2006.
Ideology and Jurisprudence
Alito is considered one of the most conservative justices on the Supreme Court. He is generally skeptical of government regulation and has consistently upheld business interests. In the 2010 landmark case Citizens United v. FEC, Alito authored the majority opinion that overturned decades of precedent and allowed corporations and unions to make unlimited independent expenditures in political campaigns.
Notable Opinions
Alito has written several notable opinions during his time on the Supreme Court.
- Burwell v. Hobby Lobby (2014): Upheld the right of closely held corporations to object to providing contraception coverage under the Affordable Care Act on religious grounds.
- Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission (2018): Ruled that the Colorado Civil Rights Commission violated the free speech rights of a baker who refused to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple.
- Trump v. New York (2020): Declared that the New York state attorney general could not subpoena President Trump's financial records.
Controversy and Criticism
Alito has been the subject of controversy and criticism for his conservative rulings and his perceived partisanship. In 2018, he was accused of "grossly partisan" behavior for participating in a partisan event honoring former Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. Some critics have also accused Alito of being insensitive to the rights of minorities and women.
Conclusion
Samuel Alito is a highly influential and controversial figure in American law. As one of the most conservative justices on the Supreme Court, his rulings have had a significant impact on American society. It remains to be seen how his legacy will be ultimately judged, but there is no doubt that he has been a major force in shaping the course of American jurisprudence.
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