Infighting in the Justices for refusing to wear a mask? The U.S. Supreme Court issued a statement denying it

On Wednesday, liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayor and conservative Justice Neil Gorsuch issued a rare joint statement denying that their working relationship was strained over wearing masks.

U.S. Supreme Court. (Image from pixabay)

Conservative Justice Gorsuch refused to wear a mask during the oral arguments despite Chief Justice John Roberts' request on Tuesday, forcing liberal Justice Sotomayor, now 67, who has diabetes, to opt "remotely" to attend the Supreme Court's oral arguments, NPR reported Tuesday. In addition, Sotomayor was forced to attend weekly meetings of the Supreme Court by phone for the same reason.

In response to the report, the two justices wrote in a joint statement on Wednesday: "We are surprised by the report that Justice Sotomayor asked Justice Gorsach to wear a mask. This is wrong. Although sometimes we may have different legal opinions, we are warm colleagues and friends. ”

Chief Justice Roberts also clarified the report through the Supreme Court Press Office on Wednesday, saying "Justice Gorsuch or any other justice was not required to wear a mask at the courtroom" and stressing that "no further comments will be made on the matter."

Under the Supreme Court rules, media outlets reporting on court proceedings and lawyers arguing in court are required to wear masks, but the rules do not make it clear whether justices need to wear masks.

To date, all nine Justices have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and given boosters and are regularly tested for the virus in accordance with health and safety protocols. Gorsuch was the only justice among the nine who refused to wear a mask. (Original title: Supreme Court Denies Justice Infighting For Refusing to Wear Masks)