SCOTUS Sides With 9th Circuit, Refuses Application of Airman Punished for Refusing COVID-19 Vax

3 conservative justices—Thomas, Alito, and Gorsuch—dissent, saying court should hear the case

Associate Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas speaks during an event in Washington on Oct. 21, 2021. Drew Angerer/Getty Images

The Supreme Court sided with the often-reversed U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit by declining to intervene on behalf of a U.S. Air Force Reserve officer who was relieved of command as punishment for his religious-based refusal to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

The case is still pending before both the 9th Circuit and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California.