The justices of the Supreme Court are pretty old – the youngest justice is Amy Coney Barrett, who turns 50 in less than two weeks. The next “youngest” are Neil Gorsuch (54) and Brett Kavanaugh (56). When Trump appointed Gorsuch to Scalia’s (stolen) seat, I thought he was just a boring conservative suit, an empty robe who would vote straight-line conservative on every case. As it turns out, he’s worse than that. He’s actively a douchebag, and even the other conservative justices dislike him and find him problematic. Gorsuch’s behavior and mentality is so disgusting, he refuses to wear a mask while the Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments. He’s the only justice to refuse, and his refusal led to Sonia Sotomayor to just work from her office or her home during the pandemic:
It was pretty jarring earlier this month when the justices of the U.S. Supreme Court took the bench for the first time since the omicron surge over the holidays. All were now wearing masks. All, that is, except Justice Neil Gorsuch. What’s more, Justice Sonia Sotomayor was not there at all, choosing instead to participate through a microphone setup in her chambers.
Sotomayor has diabetes, a condition that puts her at high risk for serious illness, or even death, from COVID-19. She has been the only justice to wear a mask on the bench since last fall when, amid a marked decline in COVID-19 cases, the justices resumed in-person arguments for the first time since the onset of the pandemic.
Now, though, the situation had changed with the omicron surge, and according to court sources, Sotomayor did not feel safe in close proximity to people who were unmasked. Chief Justice John Roberts, understanding that, in some form asked the other justices to mask up.
They all did. Except Gorsuch, who, as it happens, sits next to Sotomayor on the bench. His continued refusal since then has also meant that Sotomayor has not attended the justices’ weekly conference in person, joining instead by telephone.
I’ve heard that Chief Justice Roberts puts a premium on all of the justices getting along and respecting one another even if they disagree on cases, so it’s not a surprise that Roberts tried to do a mask mandate within SCOTUS to be respectful of Sotomayor’s very real health concerns. Can you even imagine Chief Justice Roberts going to his conservative bro Neil Gorsuch and being like “dude, you need to go back to wearing a mask” and Gorsuch was like “NOPE!” And again, Gorsuch is the one who should have to telework, not Sotomayor. Apparently, the other justices were fine with going back to masks – bizarrely, even Coney Barrett, Thomas and Alito? – and it was just Gorsuch being a dick. So let eight justices hear oral arguments while wearing masks, and Gorsuch should work from his office. This is gross.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Instar.
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- -Washington, District of Columbia – 20210423-Supreme Court of the United States 2021 Group Photo Members of the Supreme Court pose for a group photo at the Supreme Court in Washington, DC on April 23, 2021. Seated from left: Justice Samuel A. Alito, Jr., Justice Clarence Thomas, Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., Justice Stephen G. Breyer, and Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Justice Brett Kavanaugh, Justice Elena Kagan, Justice Neil M. Gorsuch and Justice Amy Coney Barrett. -PICTURED: Justice Sonia Sotomayor -PHOTO by: Erin Schaff/POOL/CNP/startraksphoto.com -042321_Supreme-Court-Pool_018 This is an editorial, rights-managed image. Please contact Startraks Photo for licensing fee and rights information at sales@startraksphoto.com or call +1 212 414 9464 This image may not be published in any way that is, or might be deemed to be, defamatory, libelous, pornographic, or obscene. Please consult our sales department for any clarification needed prior to publication and use. Startraks Photo reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this material. If you are in violation of our intellectual property rights or copyright you may be liable for damages, loss of income, any profits you derive from the unauthorized use of this material and, where appropriate, the cost of collection and/or any statutory damages awarded
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- -Washington, District of Columbia – 20210423-Supreme Court of the United States 2021 Group Photo Members of the Supreme Court pose for a group photo at the Supreme Court in Washington, DC on April 23, 2021. Seated from left: Justice Samuel A. Alito, Jr., Justice Clarence Thomas, Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., Justice Stephen G. Breyer, and Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Justice Brett Kavanaugh, Justice Elena Kagan, Justice Neil M. Gorsuch and Justice Amy Coney Barrett. -PICTURED: Justice Samuel A. Alito, Jr., Justice Clarence Thomas, Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., Justice Stephen G. Breyer, and Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Justice Brett Kavanaugh, Justice Elena Kagan, Justice Neil M. Gorsuch and Justice Amy Coney Barrett -PHOTO by: Erin Schaff/POOL/CNP/startraksphoto.com -042321_Supreme-Court-Pool_016 This is an editorial, rights-managed image. Please contact Startraks Photo for licensing fee and rights information at sales@startraksphoto.com or call +1 212 414 9464 This image may not be published in any way that is, or might be deemed to be, defamatory, libelous, pornographic, or obscene. Please consult our sales department for any clarification needed prior to publication and use. Startraks Photo reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this material. If you are in violation of our intellectual property rights or copyright you may be liable for damages, loss of income, any profits you derive from the unauthorized use of this material and, where appropriate, the cost of collection and/or any statutory damages awarded
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- Associate Justice Neil Gorsuch poses for a group photograph at the Supreme Court building on June 1 2017 in Washington, DC.,Image: 513106034, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: WORLD RIGHTS- Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Avalon.red – sales@avalon.red London: +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles: +1 (310) 822 0419 Berlin: +49 (0) 30 76 212 251, Model Release: no, Credit line: Olivier Douliery / Avalon
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- United States Supreme Court Associate Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Stephen G. Breyer arrive to listen to U.S. President Donald J. Trump address a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, February 28, 2017.,Image: 521107514, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: WORLD RIGHTS- Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Photoshot – sales@avalon.red London: +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles: +1 (310) 822 0419 Berlin: +49 (0) 30 76 212 251, Model Release: no, Credit line: Chris Kleponis / Avalon
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- FEBRUARY 5, 2019 – WASHINGTON, DC: Supreme Court Justices John Roberts, Elena Kagan, and Neil Gorsuch during the State of the Union address at the Capitol in Washington, DC on February 5, 2019.,Image: 530603047, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: WORLD RIGHTS – Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Avalon.red – sales@avalon.red London: +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles: +1 (310) 822 0419 Berlin: +49 (0) 30 76 212 251 Madrid: +34 91 533 4289, Model Release: no, Credit line: Doug Mills / Avalon
I can’t believe Trump got to nominate THREE Supreme Court Justices. What a freaking steal.
Those appointments will have dire consequences for Americans for decades to come, I am enraged just thinking about it.
+1
People were warned, though. We knew exactly what would happen if Republicans took Congress and the presidency in 2016, and a lot of liberals and moderates still decided to sit that election out despite the massive red flags. Well, now we’re eating the consequences. My only hope is the more economically powerful states like California wise up and start throwing their weight around, effectively stripping the court of any power by simply ignoring it.
Stripping the court of power by ignoring it?? Do you know how the Supreme Court works? It’s not economically related. Unfortunately when we elect presidents, the Justices don’t tell us they plan to retire or die so any eating of consequences is a bit unrealistic. The fact that we elected that orange POS is a disaster that we will be living with for decades to come. Roberts, while still conservative, has turned out to me more moderate than expected but the last 3 are simply unqualified for the job. The Chief J needs to deal with an office bully like Gorsuch.
Veronica, they didn’t listen back in 2020 when we warned them what Bush the Lesser would do, and they didn’t listen in 2016 when we told them what Tramp would do. Both of these clowns were able to put multiple justices on the SC. And now we are left to deal with the consequences.
Someone needs to figure out a way to remove them. Do whatever it takes.
Sounds like Gorsuch is pretty dead set on removing himself!
@ TEALILY Yes please!
McConnell got to put three justices on the court.
You are so right Meg. The power and influence this truly evil man, and turncoat, has wielded over the future of our country will be unfolding for decades, and it is women, LBGTQ communities, and other vulnerable classes of person that will suffer for it. His ego and hubris will have untold ramifications. History cannot judge him harshly enough IMHO, and there will be a special circle of hell reserved especially for him and his loathsome ilk.
@Meg: Sadly, turtles have very long lives.
100%
Vomit.
How about they make the glass bowl who refuses to take the simplest and most basic precautions to protect his health and the health of his colleagues dial in, instead of the person who is doing everything right?
This is Mitch McConnell’s legacy. Petulant anti-science selfish idiots.
Just a friendly reminder that this man who refuses to wear a mask will rule in favor that women should be forced to give birth when Roe is overturned in June.
The level of entitlement is disgusting. White male entitlement in a judicial robe bodes poorly for the country’s future. I’d say Gorsuch should be ashamed, but people like him have none. I just wanted to throw things at the TV when I heard it for the first time last night.
PS He would not be allowed in my workplace without wearing a mask and we absolutely would kick him out for not wearing it properly.
Disrespecting the Chief Justice is unprecedented. Roberts has no control of the court and Gorsuch is rubbing it in his face.
Absolutely.
If he doesn’t want to wear one, fine, he can sit in his office – he should not get to put everyone else in the room at risk because he’s a dbag.
I don’t understand why Sotomayor has to work from her office. Gorsuch is the one refusing to wear a mask, he should be the one who has to work from his office. What an ahole.
Once again, why is it the person who WON’T follow the rules that gets to do what they want? Fine his ass. Make his life as miserable as he seems hell bent on making everyone else’s.
Ugh, I vaguely remember when the United States Supreme Court was worthy of respect. Now the Republican appointees have made it garbage not worthy of even attention.
I would never wish death on someone….but yeah I do hope he gets Covid and suffers horribly. Yeah…I said it.
This is getting such widespread coverage, I’ll be very interested to see if Roberts wakes up to how horrible this looks and makes Gorsuch Zoom it in. This seems so deliberate, intentional, it’s almost criminally negligent.
I doubt it. They took their photo like that, all of them masked up but Gorsuch.
Roberts knew at that moment that decision to let Gorsuch be a colossal a**hole was going down in history.
Yeah. I doubt it too. This is where we are.
Honestly, I think this is such a dire issue, and might threaten the legitimacy of the court itself.
Our institutions are crumbling. The SCOTUS has been on shaky ground in public opinion recently, and the idea that a justice could dismiss the request of the Chief Justice with a “ehhh” and a shrug shows how impotent their power is. Institutions are built on the acceptance of their power and weight. He’s telling the Chief Justice that he has no power.
And yes, Gorsuch should absolutely be the one to be outside the court room for his refusal to adhere to instruction.
His white-male privilege is especially terrifying when you see how cavalier he is about doing what he wants while risking the safety of others. It’s chilling how cold he’s being.
I hope karma catches up to him quickly and we all get to see it.
Yes please. He is an evil piece of sh*t.
Here’s to hoping Gorsuch will soon be the one teleworking. Preferably from a hospital bed. That seems to be the only way these smug, entitled, anti-science assholes learn.
This!!!
Roberts needs to step up and do his damn job. Gorsuch is endangering a fellow Justice, clerks, office staff, and all doing business with the Court. Roberts needs to order Gorsuch to mask his snot or work remotely.
Barrett and her family were responsible for spreading Covid to dozens at that White House party celebrating her nomination. She should know the danger of exposing others.
What a spiteful a**hole of a petulant child.
This is outrageous.! I am speechless. What a rude, disrespectful a**hole he is! Come on, Karma. Do your thing!
How many people in America would not wear a mask in this situation- a close group of colleagues who will work together until they retire/expire, and one member has preexisting conditions that put her at a high risk for serious complications from Covid. He is terrible.
This is the most small d*ck energy thing ever.
This makes me so, so angry. And you know he gets off on it– he owns the libs AND women AND people of color, all at once. You know he loves it. I hope the public attention shames Roberts into forcing this dickhead to go remote– clearly Gorsuch can’t be shamed into anything.
How incredibly petty and disrespectful. What a slap in the face to your colleague. In my book, being a respectful colleague is more important than “personal freedoms.” This truly says a lot about the kind of person he is. Disgusting.
I know this is a place to gossip and entertain ourselves, but sometimes the government needs to hear from smart voices like the commenters on this site (because you know the crazies are in contact *constantly*—friends who spend their internships in Congress answering the phones can confirm.)
Here is advice on how to write a snail mail letter to Justice Roberts, because, yes, that’s how they prefer to be contacted: https://legalbeagle.com/5704017-write-supreme-court-justices.html
Thank you! I will write to the Chief Justice. This is ultimately on him for not being a good leader.
It will always be stunning to me how many supposedly religious people have no kindness or empathy–and he at least pretended to be religious to help him get on the Supreme Court. Their souls are a black hole. This is yet another indication that we need to turn out and vote next year. Even people who hate Democrats should be able to see that the alternative is a complete fascist takeover.
“It will always be stunning to me how many supposedly religious people have no kindness or empathy”
Yes. The pandemic has illustrated how prevalent this is.
I hate this asshole.
If the ACB Rose Garden Ceremony Covid massacre didn’t put some reason into him, nothing will. When people show you who they are, believe them, and Neil Gorsuch is obviously an entitled, selfish, right-wing science-denying grade A asshole.
What a reprehensible cretin engaging in another one of his “christian” acts.
It’s my understanding that N95 masks reduce the risk, but don’t eliminate it. But yes, let’s blame the woman for the man failing to follow the guidelines. (I hope you can hear my sarcasm).
This is egregious and wrong, but the silver lining here for me is that this shows Gorsuch is perfectly willing to roll the dice with his own life in a pandemic too by not wearing a mask. Which I’m not at all sad about.
If Herman Cained himself now, that’s one less Trump judge on the court for the next few decades.
Update. This is a falsely reported story that both Sotomayor and Gorsuch deny.