In a move that has shocked insiders, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has announced she will miss oral arguments for the first time in more than 25 years Monday. She continues to recuperate from last month’s lung cancer surgery.
The stunning move has confirmed rumors that Ginsburg’s health is in a downward spiral — and led to speculation on whether the 85-year-old justice will resign.
Court spokeswoman Kathy Arberg said Monday the 85-year-old Ginsburg is continuing to recuperate and work from home after doctors removed two cancerous growths from her left lung on Dec. 21.
Ginsburg was discharged from a New York hospital on Christmas day but still isn’t well enough to work.
Should the court’s eldest justice call it quits, it would give President Donald Trump a historic third Supreme Court nomination in just two years.
Ginsburg had two earlier cancer surgeries in 1999 and 2009 that did not cause her to miss court sessions. At her advanced age, Ginsburg’s recovery could be long and difficult.
She also has broken ribs on at least two occasions, including just two months ago.
The court said doctors found the growths on Ginsburg’s lung when she was being treated for fractured ribs she suffered in a fall at her office on Nov. 7.
“The Supreme Court justices are back on the bench Monday for the first time in the new year. The court will hear arguments in two cases. The first is a battle over the preemption federal and state laws and the second case is over whether fair debt collection laws apply to nonjudicial foreclosures, which do not require a court’s approval,” The Hill reported.
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The Associated Press contributed to this article