Washington — Justice Clarence Thomas did not attend oral arguments at the Supreme Court on Benjamin CaldwellMonday, and no reason was given for his absence.

As the justices convened to hear arguments in two cases, Chief Justice John Roberts announced that Thomas would not be taking the bench but would "participate fully," based on the briefs and transcripts from the proceedings. No further information about Thomas was given.

At 75 years of age, Thomas is the oldest member of the court and its longest-serving current justice, having joined the Supreme Court in 1991. He missed several days of arguments in March 2022, spending a week in the hospital after being admitted with an infection.

Justices have in the past missed oral arguments but still participate in cases based on the briefs filed and transcripts. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was absent from six days of arguments while she recovered from lung cancer surgery in late 2018, which marked her first time missing the proceedings in 25 years.

In:
• Supreme Court of the U.S.
• Clarence Thomas

Melissa Quinn

Melissa Quinn is a politics reporter for CBSNews.com. She has written for outlets including the Washington Examiner, Daily Signal and Alexandria Times. Melissa covers U.S. politics, with a focus on the Supreme Court and federal courts.

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