Courts

You can listen to the arguments here.

Justice Clarence Thomas was back at the Supreme Court on Tuesday after a still-unexplained absence the day before. He was present for oral arguments on a case about the Capitol riot, despite calls for him to recuse himself from Jan. 6-related cases over his wife’s involvement in questioning the 2020 election results.

The Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments on Tuesday in a case that could affect charges against former President Donald Trump and defendants in Capitol riot cases. More than 300 people have been charged under the statute being challenged by an ex-police officer who entered the Capitol that day.

Justice Clarence Thomas didn’t attend Monday’s Supreme Court session — and the court isn’t saying why. Thomas still plans to participate in the cases being heard, Chief Justice John Roberts said. Multiple outlets noted it’s highly unusual for the Supreme Court to not give a reason for a justice’s absence.