Supreme Court Justice Alito Discusses Job Recommendation Amid Trump's Sentencing Battle

Justice Alito confirms talks with Trump regarding a job recommendation while the Supreme Court weighs Trump's efforts to block sentencing in hush money case.

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This story was covered by 28 sources. This shows the distribution of these sources: left-leaning (blue), center (gray), and right-leaning (red).

Politics

Mostly Reliable

The underlying sources generally maintain reliability but have, at times, included opinion pieces, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies. While typically factual, there may be occasional editorialization or subjective interpretation.

Balanced

Summary

A summary of the key points of this story, verified by multiple sources.

Justice Samuel Alito acknowledged discussing a job recommendation for former law clerk William Levi with President-elect Trump. Amid this, New York’s highest court has declined to block Trump’s sentencing set for January 10, potentially leaving the U.S. Supreme Court as his last resort to stall the case. Trump's legal team argues that sentencing could disrupt his transition to the presidency, claiming presidential immunity from what they describe as politically charged prosecution related to his previous term.

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From the Left

A recap of the main views or arguments shared by left-leaning sources.

Justice Alito's phone call with Trump, occurring just a day before Trump sought to influence the court regarding his sentencing, raises substantial ethical concerns regarding judicial impartiality.
Alito's past associations with Trump's supporters, such as the flags displayed outside his residence, further compromise trust in his ability to remain neutral in Trump-related cases.
The conversation signifies a troubling trend of potential collusion between the Supreme Court and political figures, which could severely undermine the independence of the judiciary.

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From the Right

A recap of the main views or arguments shared by right-leaning sources.

Trump's legal team argues that the upcoming sentencing threatens his presidential transition, and that judges have failed to recognize his claims of presidential immunity over acts performed while in office.
The trial judge, Juan Merchan, has indicated he plans to give Trump the most lenient sentence possible, which underlines that the legal system is not intent on punishing him beyond the conviction itself.
Despite the political motivations alleged by Trump's lawyers, the legal proceedings appear to be moving forward with appropriate scrutiny and due process, as indicated by the trial judge's decisions.

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Highlights (20)

Excerpts from the underlying articles that best reflect each outlet's unique perspective on this story.

"The report is nothing less than another attempted political hit job which sole purpose is to disrupt the Presidential transition and undermine President Trump’s exercise of executive power."
BREAKING: Appeals court allows Trump to file amicus brief against release of Jack Smith final report
The Post Millennial
Mixed Reliable
The underlying sources have a mixed track record. They provide accurate information in some cases but are known to inject bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting. Read these stories cautiously and cross-check claims when possible.
·Right
This appellate proceeding should result in a dismissal of this politically motivated prosecution that was flawed from the very beginning, centered around the wrongful actions and false claims of a disgraced, disbarred serial-liar former attorney, violated President Trump’s due process rights, and had no merit.
New York Court Denies Trump’s Bid to Halt Friday’s Sentencing
Epoch Times
Mixed Reliable
The underlying sources have a mixed track record. They provide accurate information in some cases but are known to inject bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting. Read these stories cautiously and cross-check claims when possible.
·Right
Three levels of New York courts have now rejected Donald Trump’s efforts to delay tomorrow’s criminal sentencing. All eyes are now on the U.S. Supreme Court.
'All eyes on SCOTUS' after Trump loses sentencing bid at top NY court
AlterNet
Mixed Reliable
The underlying sources have a mixed track record. They provide accurate information in some cases but are known to inject bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting. Read these stories cautiously and cross-check claims when possible.
·Left
New York’s top court has rejected an attempt by United States President-elect Donald Trump to delay sentencing for his criminal conviction last year over hush-money payments made to an adult film actress.
New York’s top court rejects Trump bid to delay hush-money case sentencing
Al Jazeera
Reliable
The underlying sources consistently report facts with minimal bias. They demonstrate high-quality journalism and accuracy across multiple articles.
·Leans Left
"Notwithstanding defendant's past and upcoming service as President, his history, character, and condition — and especially his open disregard for the justice system — do not support dismissal."
New York's highest court won't stop Trump's sentencing as prosecutors urge Supreme Court to stay out of fight
CBS News
Reliable
The underlying sources consistently report facts with minimal bias. They demonstrate high-quality journalism and accuracy across multiple articles.
·Center
There is a compelling public interest in proceeding to sentencing; the trial court has taken extraordinary steps to minimize any burdens on defendant, including by announcing his intent to sentence defendant to an unconditional discharge.
New York’s Highest Court Declines To Stop Trump’s Sentencing
Daily Caller
Mixed Reliable
The underlying sources have a mixed track record. They provide accurate information in some cases but are known to inject bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting. Read these stories cautiously and cross-check claims when possible.
·Right
Prosecutors in Bragg's office argued in a Dec. 9 court filing that Merchan might not be permitted to impose jail or prison time given the special legal protections Trump will have during his upcoming presidency.
New York's top court refuses to halt Donald Trump's hush money sentencing
USA TODAY
Reliable
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·Center
There is a compelling public interest in proceeding to sentencing.
New York's Highest Appeals Court Declines To Block Trump's Sentencing In Hush Money Case
HuffPost
Mostly Reliable
The underlying sources generally maintain reliability but have, at times, included opinion pieces, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies. While typically factual, there may be occasional editorialization or subjective interpretation.
·Leans Left
The supreme court, where conservatives hold a six-three majority, now represents Trump’s last chance to avoid the sentencing.
New York court declines to block sentencing in Trump’s hush-money case
The Guardian
Reliable
The underlying sources consistently report facts with minimal bias. They demonstrate high-quality journalism and accuracy across multiple articles.
·Leans Left
Bragg’s office noted that it would be an “extraordinary step” for the nation’s top court to scuttle Trump’s sentencing — which will kick off the president-elect’s promised process of appealing the jury’s guilty verdict.
Manhattan DA urges US Supreme Court not to halt Trump’s sentencing in ‘hush money’ case — as New York strikes down appeal
New York Post
Mostly Reliable
The underlying sources generally maintain reliability but have, at times, included opinion pieces, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies. While typically factual, there may be occasional editorialization or subjective interpretation.
·Leans Right
New York's highest court declined to block Donald Trump's upcoming sentencing in his hush money case Thursday, leaving the U.S. Supreme Court as the president-elect's likely last option to prevent the hearing from taking place Friday.
New York's highest appeals court declines to block Trump's sentencing in hush money case
ABC News
Reliable
The underlying sources consistently report facts with minimal bias. They demonstrate high-quality journalism and accuracy across multiple articles.
·Center
There is a compelling public interest in proceeding to sentencing.
New York's highest appeals court declines to block Trump's sentencing in his hush money case
Associated Press
Reliable
The underlying sources consistently report facts with minimal bias. They demonstrate high-quality journalism and accuracy across multiple articles.
·Center
Napolitano predicted that "if the sentencing goes forward [the judge is] going to say, 'OK, you're a convicted felon, there's no fine, there's no jail time, there's no probation, there's no conditions. Goodbye, Mr. President. Good luck to you.'"
Napolitano to : Supreme Court May Reject Trump Appeal
Newsmax
Mixed Reliable
The underlying sources have a mixed track record. They provide accurate information in some cases but are known to inject bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting. Read these stories cautiously and cross-check claims when possible.
·Right
Although the Supreme Court granted Trump immunity in July from prosecution for “official” acts committed while president, Judge Merchan later ruled that the prosecution’s evidence in his Manhattan case related “entirely to unofficial conduct.”
Alito Spoke to Trump Day Before Trump Asked SCOTUS to Block Sentencing
Rolling Stone
Mixed Reliable
The underlying sources have a mixed track record. They provide accurate information in some cases but are known to inject bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting. Read these stories cautiously and cross-check claims when possible.
·Left
the subtext of the ABC News article is that Trump was making the phone call for some illicit purpose--that he was trying to gain some influence on Justice Alito, or affect how he would rule in New York case. Is there any evidence of this? Of course not.
Talking to the Justices About References
Reason
Mostly Reliable
The underlying sources generally maintain reliability but have, at times, included opinion pieces, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies. While typically factual, there may be occasional editorialization or subjective interpretation.
·Center
Alito said in a statement that they spoke Tuesday afternoon after one of his former law clerks, William Levi, "asked me to take a call from President-elect Trump regarding his qualifications to serve in a government position."
Justice Alito says there was no discussion of Trump's pending case when the two spoke
CNBC
Reliable
The underlying sources consistently report facts with minimal bias. They demonstrate high-quality journalism and accuracy across multiple articles.
·Center
President Trump is currently engaged in the most crucial and sensitive tasks of preparing to assume the Executive Power in less than two weeks, all of which are essential to the United States’ national security and vital interests.
Alito confirms call with Trump, says emergency order not discussed
The Hill
Reliable
The underlying sources consistently report facts with minimal bias. They demonstrate high-quality journalism and accuracy across multiple articles.
·Center
Trump’s call with Alito – one of the more conservative justices on the court – occurred the day before the president-elect’s lawyers filed an emergency petition with the court to block Merchan from imposing sentence, which is scheduled for Friday.
Trump Spoke With Justice Alito Day Before Asking Supreme Court To Block Sentencing
MEDIAite
Mostly Reliable
The underlying sources generally maintain reliability but have, at times, included opinion pieces, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies. While typically factual, there may be occasional editorialization or subjective interpretation.
·Leans Left
Gabe Roth, executive director of the group Fix the Court, said the call was “an unmistakable breach of protocol.”
Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito says he spoke with Trump on Tuesday
Boston Herald
Mostly Reliable
The underlying sources generally maintain reliability but have, at times, included opinion pieces, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies. While typically factual, there may be occasional editorialization or subjective interpretation.
·Leans Right
Merchan said a sentence of unconditional discharge “appears to be the most viable solution to ensure finality and allow Defendant to pursue his appellate options.”
Judge rejects Trump's motion to dismiss hush money case, sets sentencing for Jan. 10
MSNBC
Mostly Reliable
The underlying sources generally maintain reliability but have, at times, included opinion pieces, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies. While typically factual, there may be occasional editorialization or subjective interpretation.
·Left