It is likely he is… ill. Justices almost never miss argument days.

How ill? Ill enough that the court’s information office had no prepared remarks, on it.

We will wait and see — but in each prior absence, the Chief explained briefly the nature of the medical issue — for Bader-Ginsburg, and later, Gorsuch. He also explained when Thomas last missed a session.

But not today. Karmic revenge a-comin’, for the Merrick Garland nonsense, as “The Notorious” passed?

Maybe.

The other real news out of Manhattan is that Tangerine is going to have to attend a hearing that might include jail time, for weekend violations of the gag order imposed by Judge Merchan.

The live bloggers have it thus: “…Prosecutors said they want Merchan to punish Trump for violating the judge’s gag order by sharing certain social media posts over the weekend.

They said they want the judge to sanction Trump for each of three posts, to tell Trump to take down the posts, and to warn him that another post could result in jail time….”

That hearing may come on April 23 or 24, 2024, now — as potential jury members’ questioning continues.

And… I hesitate to even mention it, but…

I also write (sort of trivially) to point out that (contrary to what Hinderaker supposes) saying — in an on air interview — that “I moved on her like a bitch” and “grabbed her by the pussy” — and did not even ask permission… IS prima facie evidence of… sexual assault.

It seems Hinderaker needs to see bite marks, or similar evidence of a violent struggle, in order to accept that it was an… assault.

This comes up, of course, because Tangerine’s prior (recorded and authenticated) admissions of sexual crimes are fair game in the current hush money trial.

And that hurts lil’ Johnnie’s precious fee-fees… or something.

And to think that Hinderaker has college age, and post college aged daughters.

Astonishingly, he this afternoon claims that Trump’s statements — about the women — are actually evidence that the women consented to being groped, or worse.

I wonder what his daughters think of that view.

Damn.