Clarence Thomas Monday marked the start of the Supreme Court’s final two weeks of oral arguments for a term full of important cases, but Justice Clarence Thomas was not present on the bench.
Thomas will use written briefs and transcripts of the arguments to participate in the two cases that are being debated on Monday, according to Chief Justice John Roberts.
Reason behind his absence
Thomas would not participate, Chief Justice John Roberts declared immediately after the court convened for arguments on Monday morning in a case involving public corruption. In the past, the court has frequently given an explanation, mentioning things like a justice’s illness. Those justices participate in remote arguments from time to time.
The oldest senior associate justice on the supreme court, 75-year-old Thomas, missed multiple debates in 2022 following an infection diagnosis.
A request for more details regarding Thomas’ absence from Monday’s arguments in two cases, when his colleagues heard arguments, was not answered by the Supreme Court.
What happened to Clarence Thomas?
Two years ago, Thomas had an infection that sent him to the hospital, missing a number of court dates. Even then, he participated in the cases.
Having joined the Supreme Court in 1991, he has served the longest of all the present judges.