Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas was notably absent from oral arguments on Monday, with Chief Justice John Roberts announcing his non-participation at the start of the court session. While no specific reason was given for Thomas' absence, it was mentioned that he did not take part in the proceedings. This departure from the norm of providing an explanation for a justice's absence raised questions among court observers.
Thomas, who is 75 years old and holds the position of the most senior associate justice on the Supreme Court, had previously missed several arguments in 2022 due to an infection diagnosis. However, the court did not offer any details or updates on his current health status or the reason behind his non-attendance on Monday.
During the session, the court heard arguments in two cases. The first case revolved around a former mayor from Portage, Indiana, who allegedly received a payment from a city contractor, raising concerns about potential violations of federal anti-corruption laws. The second case involved a jewelry store manager in Ohio who filed a lawsuit against the police, claiming that his arrest on money laundering charges was made without probable cause.
Despite Thomas' absence, the court proceeded with the scheduled arguments, and his fellow justices deliberated on the legal matters at hand. The Supreme Court did not provide any additional information or clarification regarding Thomas' absence, leaving the public and legal community to speculate about the reasons behind his non-participation.
