Supreme Court issues statement that Justice Alito was hospitalized approximately two weeks ago

Justice Samuel Alito was hospitalized on March 20 “[o]ut of an abundance of warning” and on the advice of his safety element, the Supreme Court docket’s Public Info Officer, Patricia McCabe, mentioned in an announcement launched to reporters on Friday afternoon. The assertion got here in response to inquiries prompted by a narrative by CNN’s Joan Biskupic, who reported on Friday that Alito “was taken to a hospital after changing into ailing final month at a Federalist Society dinner in Philadelphia.” McCabe’s assertion didn’t point out whether or not docs had supplied Alito with a prognosis or, if that they had, what that prognosis was.

On March 20, the justices took the bench within the morning to challenge the court docket’s opinion in a case that was argued late final 12 months. Alito didn’t be a part of his colleagues; as is commonly the case when a justice is absent, the court docket didn’t present a proof for his absence.

Later that day, through the Federalist Society dinner in Philadelphia, McCabe’s assertion indicated, Alito “felt ailing” and “agreed together with his safety element’s advice to see a doctor earlier than the three-hour drive dwelling. After that examination and the administration of fluids for dehydration, he returned dwelling that night time, as beforehand deliberate. Justice Alito was completely checked by his personal doctor,” McCabe mentioned, “and he returned to work the next Monday for oral argument.”

Alito, who turned 76 on Wednesday, was nominated by President George W. Bush and joined the court docket on Jan. 31, 2006. He has persistently been one of many court docket’s most conservative members. In latest months, there was appreciable hypothesis concerning the prospect that Alito will retire, giving President Donald Trump the chance to appoint a fourth justice to the court docket, however Alito himself has given no indication that he intends to step down.