Washington — Justice Clarence Thomas didn’t attend oral arguments on the Supreme Courtroom on Monday, and no motive was given for his absence.
Because the justices convened to listen to arguments in two circumstances, Chief Justice John Roberts introduced that Thomas wouldn’t be taking the bench however would “take part absolutely,” primarily based on the briefs and transcripts from the proceedings. No additional details about Thomas was given.
At 75 years of age, Thomas is the oldest member of the court docket and its longest-serving present justice, having joined the Supreme Courtroom in 1991. He missed a number of days of arguments in March 2022, spending every week within the hospital after being admitted with an an infection.
Justices have previously missed oral arguments however nonetheless take part in circumstances primarily based on the briefs filed and transcripts. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was absent from six days of arguments whereas she recovered from lung most cancers surgical procedure in late 2018, which marked her first time lacking the proceedings in 25 years.