WASHINGTON – Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito on Friday spoke to Fox News about the upside-down American flag seen flying outside his home in the days following the Jan. 6 Capitol protests, saying his wife displayed it in response to insults directed at her from a neighbor. 

Alito weighed in after The New York Times first reported on the story Thursday, in which it said the upside-down flag — a symbol adopted by some Trump supporters disputing the results of the 2020 presidential election — appeared outside Alito’s home in Alexandria, Virginia, on Jan. 17, 2021. 

Alito said the saga in his neighborhood began in the days around Jan. 6, 2021, when a neighbor living down the street put up a sign that read “F— Trump” about 50 feet away from a children’s bus stop. 

He said his wife, Martha-Ann, then spoke with those neighbors about the sign and the conversation was not well received. 

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Alito told Fox News those neighbors then put up a sign directly attacking his wife and personally blaming her for the events that transpired on Jan. 6 at the nation’s capital. 

He said that during a walk in the neighborhood with his wife, one person who lived at the property with the signage then got into an argument with her — at one point calling her derogatory language “including the C-word.” 

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Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito and his wife Martha-Ann attend a ceremonial swearing-in at the East Room of the White House in February 2006. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Following that incident, Alito said Martha-Ann was distraught and decided to make some sort of statement by hanging the American flag upside down outside their home. 

Alito told Fox News he had no role in the flag decision, and it was flying outside their property only “for a short time.” 

Justice Samuel Alito delivers a commencement speech at the Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio on Saturday. (Franciscan University of Steubenville)

He added that he felt he had no right or ability to control or order around his wife and that some neighbors on his street have been “very political.” 

The story surrounding the flag outside Alito’s home comes as the Supreme Court is deciding on former President Trump’s immunity case. 

Pro-life officials on Friday celebrated a South Carolina judge’s denial of a Planned Parenthood motion to weaken the state’s six-week abortion ban.

A state judge in Columbia ruled against the reproductive health care organization’s demand for a preliminary injunction that would slacken South Carolina’s six-week abortion restriction to nine weeks, according to The State newspaper.

While Planned Parenthood could reportedly appeal Fifth Circuit Judge Daniel Coble’s decision, proponents of the 2023 law expressed confidence the Palmetto State will remain a safe haven for the unborn.

“South Carolina’s heartbeat law secured another legal victory yesterday, with the trial court denying Planned Parenthood’s preliminary injunction,” Brandon Charochak, a spokesman for Republican Gov. Henry McMaster, told Fox News Digital.

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“Life will continue to be protected in South Carolina, and the governor will continue his fight to protect it,” he said.

The state law defines a “fetal heartbeat” as “cardiac activity or the steady and repetitive rhythmic contraction of the fetal heart, within the gestational sac,” according to the Charleston Post & Courier. Coble wrote in his Thursday decision that the state legislature clearly intended a six-week time frame in that regard.

In its filing, Planned Parenthood reportedly argued that since the new law was enacted, 75% of women who sought abortions were denied the procedure because of the time constraint. The organization also alleged almost 7/8 of those patients could have undergone an abortion if they were permitted at the nine-week mark.

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South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster signs into law a bill banning almost all abortions in the state on Feb. 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)

Critics also argued that many women do not know they are pregnant yet at six weeks.

The State of South Carolina, however, testified that an unborn baby’s heart is beating “steadily, repetitively and rhythmically” six weeks in, even if the organ is not fully formed yet.

In a statement to Fox News Digital, Planned Parenthood-South Atlantic president and CEO Jenny Black expressed disappointment in Coble’s decision.

“Given the impact of this case on thousands of patients across South Carolina who have been unfairly denied abortion care, we will continue to demand that the courts apply the law as written. This fight is not over,” Black said.

“Our highest priority is giving our patients the care they need — no matter what. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic remains committed to helping every patient navigate the unjust and inhumane confines of South Carolina’s abortion ban.”

The heartbeat law had not been without its past legal impediments. In 2023, the South Carolina Supreme Court struck down a preceding six-week ban, citing right-to-privacy concerns.

It later upheld a second attempt at a six-week prohibition that was drafted a few months after the original denial.

At the time, the Center for Reproductive Rights argued in a statement that the only situational change was the retirement and replacement of a female justice who led the majority opinion striking down the prior law.

The new law does contain exceptions for the life and health of the mother, as well as in cases of rape or incest, so long as those are reported to law enforcement within 12 weeks.

The state only has three listed abortion providers, all in its major cities: Greenville, Columbia and Charleston. 

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg released statements Friday after a pedestrian was killed and Scottie Scheffler was arrested before the second round of the PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Course.

Beshear said he was praying for the victim of the crash that took place before Scheffler’s arrest.

“This morning an incident occurred outside the PGA Championship that resulted in the heartbreaking death of a fellow Kentuckian. Our hearts are broken, and we continue to pray for the victim’s family,” Beshear wrote on X. 

“The events that occurred afterward are the unfortunate result of this tragic incident, and we are hopeful that all parties involved can come to a resolution.”

Greenberg identified the victim as John Mills and sent his condolences to his family. He also remarked on the “unfortunate” incident that took place involving Scheffler and Louisville Metro Police.

“This morning, our city experienced a tragic accident that took the life of John Mills, a Louisvillian who will be greatly missed by his family and our community,” he said. “Our focus is on this family who lost their loved one. I have spoke with members of Mr. Mills’ family to convey our city’s condolences.

“Following this tragedy, LMPD stopped traffic to assist with its investigation into the fatal accident. It is unfortunate that an incident took place between an LMPD officer and Mr. Scheffler while he was attempting to enter Valhalla. LMPD is investigating this incident, and the legal process will proceed. We appreciate everyone’s cooperation.

“We remain focused on the tragic loss of life and will share more information on both of these matters as available.”

The morning at Valhalla Golf Course started when a pedestrian was struck by a shuttle bus while crossing a road in a lane dedicated to tournament traffic and was pronounced dead at the accident site around 5:09 a.m. The PGA of America said the victim was a worker with one of its vendors.

Scottie Scheffler of the United States and his caddie, Ted Scott, walk to the 14th tee during the second round of the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club May 17, 2024, in Louisville. (Maddie Meyer/PGA of America via Getty Images)

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“This morning we were devastated to learn that a worker with one of our vendors was tragically struck and killed by a shuttle bus outside Valhalla Golf Club,” the PGA of America said. “This is heartbreaking to all of us involved with the PGA Championship. We extend our sincere condolences to their family and loved ones.”

Scheffler then drove past a police officer shortly after 6 a.m. in his SUV with markings on the door indicating it was a PGA Championship vehicle, according to ESPN’s Jeff Darlington. The officer screamed at him to stop and then attached himself to the car until Scheffler stopped his vehicle about 10 yards later. Darlington characterized it as a “misunderstanding with traffic flow.”

“Scheffler was then walked over to the police car, placed in the back, in handcuffs, very stunned about what was happening, looked toward me as he was in those handcuffs and said, ‘Please help me,’” Darlington said on ESPN’s “SportsCenter.” “He very clearly did not know what was happening in the situation. It moved very quickly, very rapidly, very aggressively.”

Scheffler was booked into the Louisville Department of Corrections later Friday. He was charged with second-degree assault of a police officer (a felony), criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding signals from an officer directing traffic.

In this still image from video provided by ESPN, Masters champion Scottie Scheffler is escorted by police after being handcuffed near Valhalla Golf Club, site of the PGA Championship, early Friday, May 17, 2024. (ESPN via AP)

A police report said a detective was knocked down after Scheffler refused “to comply and accelerated forward.” The detective was allegedly dragged to the ground and suffered injuries to his wrist and knee. 

“The main thing is he was proceeding exactly as he was directed in a marked vehicle with credentials,” Scheffler’s attorney, Steve Romines, said in a statement. “He didn’t do anything intentionally wrong.”

Scheffler made it back for his second-round tee times.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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