The longest-serving judge on the U.S. Supreme Court, Clarence Thomas, was released from the hospital today.
A Friday report from the “The New York Times” attributed the news to a spokesperson for the court. Court spokeswoman Patricia McCabe did not immediately respond to a ReistTheMainstream request for comment.
Judge Thomas, 73, was admitted March 18 to Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington, D.C., after experiencing flu-like symptoms. A Supreme Court press release said the elderly jurist was diagnosed with an infection, and was treated with intravenous antibiotics. The release reported his symptoms were getting better Sunday, adding he was resting comfortably, and expected to be released from the hospital in a day or two.
“Justice Thomas will participate in the consideration and discussion of any cases for which he is not present on the basis of the briefs, transcripts, and audio of the oral arguments.”
“Join me in praying for a quick recovery for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas who was hospitalized on Friday with an infection” wrote Billy Graham’s son, Franklin.
Thomas was appointed to the Supreme Court in 1991 after being nominated by former President George H.W. Bush to succeed Thurgood Marshall, the nation’s first Black justice.
Thomas decides who writes the majority opinion if Chief Justice John Roberts is in the minority on a case based on his seniority on the bench.
His illness coincided with nomination hearings for Washington, D.C. Circuit Court Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to succeed retiring Justice Stephen Breyer. Although Judge Brown has been termed a progressive, the ideological balance of the court would not shift if the Senate confirms her appointment. The current 6-3 split between judges considered Conservative and those considered Liberal would remain unchanged.
The balance would have been narrowed if President Joe Biden was given an opportunity to appoint a second Supreme during his tenure in the Oval Office.
Thomas’ vote could be critical to an upcoming abortion case out of Mississippi because legal experts believe it could result in the striking down of Roe v. Wade. A ruling in that case is expected by July, according to “Christian Headlines” report.
Last year, he said his decisions are decided by the text of the Constitution, not personal opinion.
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