Supreme Court Historical Society condemns secret recordings at group’s dinner

The Supreme Court Historical Society condemned a liberal filmmaker for secretly recording two justices at what she said was the society’s recent annual dinner.

“Our policy is to ensure that all attendees, including the Justices, are treated with respect.  We condemn the surreptitious recording of Justices at the event, which is inconsistent with the entire spirit of the evening,” James Duff, the group’s executive director, said in a statement.

Lauren Windsor, a liberal documentary filmmaker, on Monday released audio of her speaking with Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito while posing as a conservative. Windsor published the audio on the social platform X and shared it with Rolling Stone.

Windsor told Alito she couldn’t see herself getting along with liberals “in the way that needs to happen for the polarization to end,” adding that the court should be about “winning.”

“I think you’re probably right. On one side or the other — one side or the other is going to win,” the conservative justice responded.

Windsor also released a recording of Alito’s wife, in which Martha-Ann Alito vowed revenge for a recent controversy over flags flown at the couple’s homes.

In the statement, Duff said Historical Society members can purchase two dinner tickets, one for themselves and one for a guest. Regular membership costs $150, and the tickets run $500, according to the society’s website.

Attending provides members with rare access to the justices, who often attend the annual event, held inside the court building. This year’s event was held June 3.

“Attendees are advised that discussion of current cases, cases decided by this Court, or a Justice’s jurisprudence is strictly prohibited and may result in forfeiture of membership in the Society,” Duff said.

In an interview with CNN on Tuesday, Windsor defended the recordings and said there was nothing illegal about it. 

“To people who want to pearl clutch about this, please tell me how we’re gonna get answers when the Supreme Court has been shrouded in secrecy and really just refusing any degree of accountability whatsoever,” Windsor said in the interview.

The Hill has reached out to the Supreme Court for comment on the recordings.