Supreme Court justices Sotomayor and Gorsuch deny report they were at odds over masks

WASHINGTON >> Two Supreme Court docket justices say a media report that they have been at odds over the carrying of masks in court docket throughout the current surge in coronavirus circumstances is fake.

The court docket on Wednesday issued an uncommon three-sentence assertion from Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Neil Gorsuch. It learn: “Reporting that Justice Sotomayor requested Justice Gorsuch to put on a masks shocked us. It’s false. Whereas we might typically disagree in regards to the regulation, we’re heat colleagues and associates.”

Sotomayor is an appointee of former President Barack Obama whereas Gorsuch was appointed by former President Donald Trump.

Sotomayor, who has diabetes, has been attending arguments remotely from her chambers this month throughout the surge of the coronavirus’ omicron variant. Her colleagues, apart from Gorsuch, have been carrying masks this month whereas listening to arguments within the courtroom.

Later Wednesday, Chief Justice John Roberts responded to inquiries about whether or not he had requested his colleagues to put on masks, saying in assertion, “I didn’t request Justice Gorsuch or every other Justice to put on a masks on the bench.” He stated he would don’t have any additional remark.

Gorsuch has by no means stated why he’s not carrying a masks on the bench. He has not responded to a request for remark from The Related Press.

Each statements from the justices got here after NPR’s longtime Supreme Court docket correspondent Nina Totenberg reported Tuesday on an alleged battle between Sotomayor and Gorsuch, who usually sit subsequent to one another throughout arguments on the excessive court docket.

Totenberg reported that unidentified court docket sources stated “Sotomayor didn’t really feel protected in shut proximity to individuals who have been unmasked” and that “Chief Justice John Roberts, understanding that, in some kind requested the opposite justices to masks up.” She didn’t elaborate.

Gorsuch’s determination to not put on a masks “has additionally meant that Sotomayor has not attended the justices’ weekly convention in individual, becoming a member of as a substitute by phone,” Totenberg reported. An NPR spokeswoman stated in an e-mail Wednesday after the justices launched their statements that “NPR stands behind Nina Totenberg’s reporting.”

Following NPR’s story, CNN additionally reported that “a supply accustomed to the scenario” stated Sotomayor didn’t “really feel snug sitting on the bench close to colleagues who aren’t masked.” Neither NPR’s story nor CNN’s story stated Sotomayor had immediately requested Gorsuch to put on a masks. The justices’ assertion didn’t say what reporting it was referencing.

For the reason that justices returned to listening to in-person arguments in October, Sotomayor has worn a masks throughout arguments on the excessive court docket whereas her colleagues haven’t. They modified their apply this month throughout the surge of the coronavirus’ omicron variant.

All of the justices have been vaccinated towards the coronavirus and obtained a booster shot. Attorneys who argue earlier than the justices additionally need to have a damaging coronavirus take a look at or argue remotely by phone, and journalists who attend in individual are additionally requested to have a damaging take a look at.

To this point, three attorneys have needed to argue by telephone this month due to constructive assessments. The general public shouldn’t be at present allowed to attend arguments.

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