Liberal filmmaker Lauren Windsor stirred controversy with her recent undercover operation involving Supreme Court Justices Samuel Alito and John Roberts. On Wednesday, Windsor defended her actions, stating that the "lies" she told the justices were necessary to reveal "truths" beneficial to the public.
During an interview with CNN's Jim Acosta, Windsor explained her rationale. "I wish that they were more shocked about the ethics breaches at the Supreme Court than some lies that I told them in order to elicit truths that serve the greater public good," she said, addressing Republican criticism of her methods.
Windsor infiltrated a Supreme Court Historical Society dinner on June 3 by posing as a conservative supporter. She recorded her interactions with the justices and later posted these recordings on social media. Acosta noted that Windsor had purchased a $500 ticket under her own name to gain access to the event and converse with the justices.
Windsor's recordings and subsequent comments highlighted her belief that Democrats have not adequately pressured the Supreme Court on ethics reforms. She specifically mentioned Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), suggesting that more should be done despite the complex rules of Senate procedure. "I do not think that Sen. [Dick] Durbin [D-Ill.] has done enough," Windsor said. "I think that there should be something done by Democrats if the Republicans are going to refuse to pass any ethics reform whatsoever."
She also criticized Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) for his opposition to ethics reform, sarcastically remarking, "That's a great message to run on: ‘I’m anti ethics.'"
Windsor's actions drew attention to Justice Alito and his wife, Martha-Ann Alito, who had previously faced criticism for displaying an upside-down flag and an "Appeal to Heaven" flag at their beach house following the events of January 6, 2021. Windsor accused Justice Alito of "enabling" his wife's actions. When asked if Martha-Ann Alito was entitled to her own views, Windsor conceded, "certainly," but emphasized the need for impartiality in the judiciary. "But when your spouse is one of the most powerful men in the country, you know, with his fingers on the scale, literally, of justice... Is it okay? He's admitting that he cannot be impartial. He's saying there are things that cannot be compromised," Windsor asserted.
Windsor faced criticism from various quarters, including the liberal co-hosts of "The View." Co-host Sunny Hostin described Windsor's approach as a "hit job" and expressed discomfort with recording people without their consent. "I am extremely disappointed at what I heard, but I also am not comfortable with snippets of tape recordings without consent being taken out of context," Hostin remarked. Joy Behar, another co-host, shared similar concerns about the potential alteration of the recordings but acknowledged the need to expose the justices. "The Supreme Court at the moment is so biased and so pro-theocracy... somebody has to expose them because they are running around arrogant," Behar said.
In one notable exchange captured on the recordings, Windsor told Justice Alito that people should fight "to return our country to a place of godliness," to which Alito responded, "I agree with you, I agree with you."
Windsor's undercover operation has ignited a debate about ethics, impartiality, and the methods used to uncover the truth about the highest court in the United States.