Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito declared three non‑negotiable principles—freedom of speech, religious liberty and racial equality—during a fireside chat with Mollie Hemingway at the Federalist after the Antonin Scalia Memorial Dinner.
“I’m not saying we’re entering the dark age, but these are things we must preserve no matter the atmosphere in the country or the world,” Alito said.
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Alito warned that robust free speech is essential for democratic self‑fulfillment, noting that even hurtful speech must be protected.
Religious Liberty Under Scrutiny
Alito emphasized religious liberty as central to human dignity, citing the Supreme Court’s upcoming decisions in St. Mary Catholic Parish v. Roy and Grand v. City of University Heights.
“Religious liberty is central to human dignity, and in a society as religiously diverse as this country, we must respect every individual’s right to follow any faith,” he said.
Racial Equality Remains Essential
Alito invoked Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision that children be judged by the content of their character, not the color of their skin, calling the principle essential for a pluralistic society.
The Court will hear Association for Education Fairness v. Montgomery County Board of Education this term, a challenge to Maryland’s race‑neutral admissions policies, and will review the 2023 Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard ruling that ended affirmative action.
Alito Signals Intent to Stay on the Bench
A Bloomberg report after the midterms noted that Alito’s plans to remain on the Supreme Court were unchanged despite Democratic gains.
Nominated by President George W. Bush in 2006, Alito has served since 2006 and, with over 20 years on the bench, ranks 42nd in all‑time service among justices.
