Justice Samuel Alito of the Supreme Court faced a brief hospitalization after falling ill at a Federalist Society dinner in Philadelphia on March 20. Sources report that he was treated for dehydration before heading home to Virginia that evening with his security team.
The incident had remained under wraps until now. Alito, along with the court’s public information office, chose not to comment about the episode.
At 76, Alito has resumed his responsibilities, actively participating in oral arguments and maintaining focus on the bench in the days since the incident. Speculation around his retirement has grown, with friends mentioning he has considered stepping down, but no immediate decisions are expected.
If Alito retires, it would present President Donald Trump with a fourth opportunity to appoint a justice to the Supreme Court, following the appointments made during his first term.
Health details concerning justices are often kept confidential. For instance, Chief Justice John Roberts’ head injury from a 2020 fall was not widely known until reports surfaced.
Since his appointment by President George W. Bush in 2006, Alito has established himself as a strong conservative presence. He was pivotal in the landmark decision that overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022 and has continuously supported efforts to restrict voting rights rulings.
Aligning closely with Trump-era legal perspectives, Alito expressed openness during recent arguments concerning birthright citizenship, suggesting he may support altering the long-standing interpretation of citizenship for those born on U.S. soil.
The March 20 incident took place following a Federalist Society symposium at the University of Pennsylvania Law School, although Alito was not present at that event.
Earlier in the week, he had attended a social gathering in Washington to honor Notre Dame law professor Sherif Girgis, who received a distinguished award from a group affiliated with former Vice President Mike Pence.
Despite this recent health scare, Alito continues to fulfill his responsibilities without any apparent lingering issues.
