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Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg gestures while speaking during the inaugural Herma Hill Kay Memorial Lecture at the University of California at Berkeley, in Berkeley, Calif., on Oct. 21, 2019. Jeff Chiu/AP Photo
The 86-year-old was sent to Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington and then transferred to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, which is about 40 miles away.
In recent months, Ginsburg, a four-time cancer survivor, has endured a series of health scares. Earlier this month, she took a sick day and missed a Supreme Court arguing session, and later, a court spokesperson said she had a stomach virus.
United States Supreme Court (Front L-R) Associate Justice Stephen Breyer, Associate Justice Clarence Thomas, Chief Justice John Roberts, Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Associate Justice Samuel Alito, Jr., (Back L-R) Associate Justice Neil Gorsuch, Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Associate Justice Elena Kagan and Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
In August, she underwent radiation therapy for pancreatic cancer.
Ginsburg is the oldest justice on the court, and her health is closely being watched because a Supreme Court vacancy would provide President Donald Trump the opportunity to appoint a third justice to the nine-member court. Trump has already appointed two judges, Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch.
On Nov. 13, Chief Justice John Roberts said she missed oral arguments “due to illness.” When she returned, “as has become custom, Justice [Clarence] Thomas held her hand to help her down the steps leaving the bench,” Bloomberg reporter Greg Stohr reported from the court.
Ginsburg, who was nominated by former President Bill Clinton, has said that she will remain on the Supreme Court as long as her health permits.
The U.S. Supreme Court in Washington on Feb. 5, 2009. Win McNamee/Getty Images
Earlier this year, she told an audience that she was on her way to “being very well,” Reuters reported.
“This audience can see that I am alive. And I’m on my way to being very well,” she said. “I love my job. It is the best and hardest job that I ever had.”
Amid another health scare last year, President Donald Trump wished her a speedy recovery.
He said, “I wouldn’t say she’s exactly on my side, but I wish her well, I hope she gets better and I hope she serves on the Supreme Court for many years.”
Jack Phillips is a breaking news reporter who covers a range of topics, including politics, U.S., and health news. A father of two, Jack grew up in California's Central Valley. Follow him on X: https://twitter.com/jackphillips5