Justice Alito Warns of Covid-Era Religious Rights Infringements

Justice Samuel Alito said the Covid-19 pandemic is exacerbating an assault on religious and speech rights around the U.S. in a pointed speech to the Federalist Society that addressed issues before the court.

The 70-year-old justice gave a full-throated defense Thursday night of what he characterized as “second-tier” rights, saying that the pandemic has “highlighted disturbing trends that were already present before the virus struck.”

“The pandemic has resulted in previously unimaginable restrictions on individual liberty,” Alito told the conservative legal group in a 30-minute speech.

‘Forget About Worship’

Among the Covid-related cases Alito singled out is one from ...