Supreme Court
Justice Clarence Thomas has been in the hospital since March 18, the top court confirmed on
March 20, 2022. While exact details have not been revealed, the SCOTUS
said he was experiencing 'flu-like symptoms', which social media users
immediately speculated as Covid-19. But instead of praying for his
recovery, many users instead used the news to call for Thomas'
resignation or booting.
The second African-American on the court, Thomas has been at the
center of several controversies of late. In January 2022, it emerged
that his wife Ginni Thomas endorsed Donald Trump's January 6 rally, which morphed into an insurrection. In October 2020, he also drew widespread ire for swearing-in Amy Coney Barrett, a controversial pick who was nominated by then-President Donald Trump.
Thomas is being widely targeted by liberals who seek to change the court's 6-3 conservative majority. If Joe Biden's pick Ketanji Brown Jackson
is approved by the Senate, the majority won't change but could come
down to a closer margin if Biden is allowed to pick another Justice. In
that battle to balance the court, it appears Thomas has been identified
as a key target.
Is Clarence Thomas ok?
The SCOTUS did not say what exactly happened to the Justice, but
noted, "he expects to be released from the hospital in a day or two." In a statement,
the court said, "He underwent tests, was diagnosed with an infection
and is being treated with intravenous antibiotics." Whatever he was
diagnosed with, it doesn't appear to be serious. "His symptoms are
abating, he is resting comfortably," the court added.
Thomas is currently being treated at Washington DC's Sibley Memorial
Hospital, from where he will remain involved in the "consideration and
discussion" of cases. The court is scheduled to hear oral arguments on
March 21, 22, and 23. At 73, Thomas is the second-oldest judge on the
bench and the most senior conservative who has served the court for over
30 years. ABC News confirmed he has received all three Covid-19 shots, so it is unlikely, but not impossible, that he has succumbed to the virus.
Whatever the issue, Thomas did not receive much support online. While
a handful of users did send get well messages, a vast majority used the
news as an opportunity to continue attacking the conservative judge.
'Impeach him from the hospital bed'
"Perhaps Clarence Thomas should resign and focus on his health," one
person said. Another declared, "I don’t care if Justice Clarence Thomas
is in the hospital. Impeach him from the hospital bed. I’m tired of
playing nice." A third trolled, "BREAKING: Justice Clarence Thomas
admitted to the hospital with a bad, partisan hacking cough." A fourth
tweeted, "Clarence Thomas is in the hospital with Covid like symptoms.
My heart is going pitter-pa I don’t give a f--k! U?"
"Clarence Thomas says it's just the flu. COVID dissents," one person
joked. Another mocked, "Clarence Thomas had been hospitalized with flu
like symptoms or as the rest of us call it Covid Omicron variant. The
good news is I read earlier today that MAGA's have found shoving a live
chicken, head first, up your but helps." One user noted, "Pretty funny
how strict textualism is the driving force at SCOTUS, but they can't
strictly say in text that Clarence Thomas has COVID and have to
obfuscate it by saying flu like symptoms."
No comments:
Post a Comment