Getty Images Ruth Bader Ginsburg speaks at Georgetown University in April 2017.
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was hospitalized Thursday morning in a development that puts renewed emphasis on President Donald Trump’s ability to shape the Supreme Court.
Ginsburg was hospitalized after falling in her office Wednesday night and fracturing three ribs, the Supreme Court said. The 85-year-old Ginsburg, a member of the court’s liberal wing, was admitted to George Washington University Hospital for treatment.
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Ruth Bader Ginsburg and other associate justices listen as President Trump speaks during the swearing-in ceremony of Brett Kavanaugh at the White House on Oct. 8.
Trump has seen two of his nominees — Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh — confirmed to the Supreme Court, and could pick from an existing list of candidates should Ginsburg retire or die.
The list of potential picks Trump chose Kavanaugh from also includes former Texas Supreme Court justice Don Willett and Sen. Mike Lee, a Utah Republican.
Read: Trump’s list of Supreme Court candidates includes senator, judge who has mocked him.
Ginsburg said earlier this year she would like to spend “at least” five more years on the bench. Her advancing age has made liberals nervous, as Trump is expected to name a third conservative to the high court in the event of a vacancy.
In October, he said, “could be from I would say one or two to four more additional. So we’ll see. I hope everyone remains healthy.”
Trump attended Kavanaugh’s investiture ceremony at the Supreme Court on Thursday morning. The president nominated Kavanaugh to fill the spot vacated when Anthony Kennedy announced his retirement in June. Kennedy was 81 when he announced he was leaving.
