Justice Alito Criticized Marriage Ruling in New Book

Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito released a collection of speeches arguing that the 2015 marriage equality ruling harms religious liberty.

Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Law

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a single neoclassical pillar, representing the institutional nature of the judicial branch. — Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito critiques the 2015 marriage equality ruling in his new book, arguing that originalist jurisprudence prioritizes religious liberty. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito has published a new book titled So Ordered: An Originalist's View of the Constitution, the Court, and Our Country. In the collection, Alito criticizes the 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges ruling, arguing it represents a pivotal shift against religious exercise in the United States.

Why it matters

The publication provides a detailed look into Alito's judicial philosophy of practical originalism, which views civil rights protections for marriage as a threat to traditional religious expression. It highlights a long-standing tension between legal precedent and personal ideological views on religious liberty.

The book features 19 speeches delivered by Justice Alito, with 7 directed toward Catholic audiences. This work follows Alito's history of public commentary, including remarks in 2018 regarding the treatment of believers in public life.

The players

Samuel Alito

He is an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States who has served on the high court since 2006.

The details

Alito uses the text to defend his philosophy of practical originalism and compares individuals holding traditional marriage views to marginalized Catholics in post-Reformation England. The justice previously dissented in the 2015 marriage equality case, though he noted in 2025 that the decision is entitled to respect under stare decisis.

2015: The Supreme Court issued the Obergefell v. Hodges ruling.
2018: Alito gave a speech regarding the role of believers in public life.
October 2025: Alito spoke at a George Mason University conference.
6 October 2026: The book So Ordered was published.

Political Context

The publication reignites debate surrounding the 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges ruling, with opponents arguing the justice's public critique undermines the impartiality of the Court. Critics contend that such discourse threatens the protection of established civil rights and risks politicizing the judicial bench.

The book offers citizens a clear view of a sitting justice's perspective on how religious liberty intersects with federal law. Readers may find these arguments central to future discourse as the Supreme Court continues to navigate a steady stream of religious-liberty cases.

The takeaway

Justice Alito's latest work emphasizes the friction between evolving constitutional interpretations and traditional religious practice. Understanding these arguments is essential for those tracking how current judicial philosophies may shape the future of civil rights litigation.