Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas did not attend oral arguments on Monday, and the court did not provide an explanation for his unexpected absence from the bench.
Chief Justice John Roberts announced Thomas was missing shortly after the court convened to hear cases, marking a departure from the typical practice of offering at least a brief explanation like illness when a justice misses arguments.
At 75 years old, Thomas is currently the longest-serving associate justice. His absence on Monday comes after he missed several oral argument sessions in 2022 after being hospitalized for an infection.
The Supreme Court did not respond to requests for additional details regarding Thomas’s absence. His fellow justices heard two cases – one involving a public corruption statute about payments to an Indiana mayor, and another centering on a lawsuit against Ohio police over a disputed arrest.
As a reliably conservative voice, Thomas’s extended absence could also potentially disrupt the court’s deliberations, particularly on ideologically divisive cases where his conservative vote could make a significant impact.
Without a report from the court, speculation will likely intensify around the 74-year-old jurist’s health and ability to resume his duties.
Stephen Dietrich is the Publisher of The Horn News