Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas returned to the bench after an unexcused one-day absence.
Thomas, 75, was in his usual seat, to the right of Chief Justice John Roberts, as the court met to hear arguments in a case related to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
Thomas ignored calls from some progressive groups to recuse himself from issues related to Jan. 6 because his wife, Jenny, attended then-President Trump's rally near the White House before protesters descended on the Capitol. Jenny Thomas, a conservative activist, also sent text messages to senior Trump administration officials in the weeks after the election offering support and reiterating her belief that there was widespread fraud in the election.
Roberts announced Thomas' absence on Monday without providing an explanation. Sometimes judges are absent from court, but they participate remotely. Thomas did not participate in Monday's arguments.
He was hospitalized two years ago due to an infection, which led to him missing several court sessions. He was involved in cases then as well.
Thomas is the longest serving current justice, having joined the Supreme Court in 1991.
