Clarence Thomas

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Associate Justice Clarence Thomas was absent from oral arguments on Monday without explanation. Chief Justice John Roberts said Thomas would take part in the day's cases via transcripts and briefs. Thomas, 75, is the eldest member of the court and a key member of its influential conservative bloc.

Dahlia Lithwick and Mark Joseph Stern discuss the recent rulings from Florida Supreme Court on abortion rights and legalizing marijuana. They also discuss the South Carolina redistricting case still stuck somewhere between draft opinions at SCOTUS. They discuss the Crystal Clanton controversy: her clerking journey, her ties to Justice Clarence Thomas, and the ethical implications of all of it.

O.J. Simpson to be cremated this week; brain will not be studied for CTE. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas missed Mondays hearing on two cases and the court did not explain his absence.

Chief Justice John Roberts announced the absence, saying that Thomas would still participate in that day's cases by using briefs and transcripts of the arguments. Thomas missed several court sessions two years ago with an infection and later took part in those cases. He is the oldest current Supreme Court justice and the longest-tenured.

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Thomas, 75, is the oldest and longest-serving member of the court and is part of its 6-3 conservative majority. Chief Justice John Roberts noted the absence of Thomas at the beginning of the arguments in the first of two cases before the court on Monday. Thomas previously missed arguments in March 2022 when he was hospitalized with flu-like symptoms.

Clarence Thomas misses Supreme Court oral arguments with no explanation. Clarence Thomas misses the hearing on April 15, 2024. Thomas is the only black man to miss a Supreme Court hearing in the U.S. history.

Justice Clarence Thomas was notably absent from the court on Monday, with no explanation for his absence. The 75-year-old justice was also not participating remotely in arguments. Chief Justice John Roberts announced Thomas absence, assuring that Thomas would still contribute to the days cases based on the briefs and transcripts of the arguments.