WASHINGTON — Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito experienced a health scare during a Philadelphia event last month, requiring medical attention for dehydration, according to a Supreme Court spokesperson who disclosed the incident on Friday.
Court spokesperson Patricia McCabe confirmed in a statement that Alito’s condition did not necessitate an overnight hospital stay, and he resumed his duties on the bench the following Monday.
During oral arguments that Monday, Alito actively participated in questioning attorneys in a significant case involving mailed ballots and continued his full participation in all court proceedings throughout the subsequent two weeks.
The justice, who celebrated his 76th birthday on Wednesday, ranks as the court’s second-oldest member, with only 77-year-old Justice Clarence Thomas being older.
CNN initially broke the story, reporting that Alito received treatment at a Philadelphia medical facility, though the court declined to specify the exact location of his care.
This situation highlights the ongoing pattern of Supreme Court justices maintaining privacy about their health conditions until information becomes public through other channels.
A similar instance occurred in 2020 when Chief Justice John Roberts’ overnight hospitalization following a fall that required facial stitches only became known after the Washington Post reported the incident first.
According to CNN’s reporting, Alito had been transported by his security team from Washington to attend a dinner event following a Federalist Society panel discussion celebrating his two decades of service on the high court.
When the justice began feeling unwell that evening, “he agreed with his security detail’s recommendation to see a physician before the three-hour drive home” to northern Virginia, McCabe explained. Medical staff administered intravenous fluids to address his dehydration, she noted.
Although Alito has made no public statements regarding potential retirement, political observers have been discussing the possibility that he might step down soon, which would provide President Donald Trump an opportunity to select a fourth Supreme Court justice, adding to the three confirmed during his initial presidency.
Despite being relatively young by Supreme Court justice standards, Alito might choose not to remain on the court and risk the potential of Democrats gaining Senate control in November’s elections and a Democrat winning the presidency in two years.
A summer retirement would enable Trump to nominate a conservative replacement who is significantly younger and would likely receive confirmation from the current Republican-controlled Senate.
