Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito warns that Congress could effectively stop the Supreme Court’s work by defunding it. Speaking to Federalist Society members, Alito says Congress controls funding and could “turn off the lights” at the court, according to multiple outlets. He presents the warning as a response to heightened political attention to the judiciary.
Outlets also situate his comments in recent congressional and party dynamics. The Daily Signal and other right-leaning coverage note that Democrats gained majorities in Congress shortly before Alito’s remarks and that some lawmakers have raised the prospect of subpoenas involving justices. Fox News adds that Alito warns against congressional “meddling” and references concerns about how some lower court judges operate.
Other coverage focuses more directly on Alito’s defense of judicial independence, with less emphasis on outside political actions. The Hill presents the remarks as a general warning against defunding the court while underscoring the judiciary’s role as a separate branch. Overall, outlets agree on the core point: Alito highlights Congress’s power through the budget and warns against interference with the Supreme Court’s functioning.
