Long lines and solemn rituals as Supreme Court honors Scalia

When pressed for clarification on Obama missing the funeral, White House press secretary Josh Earnest repeated that “the president will pay his respects at the Supreme Court on Friday and he’ll be joined with the first lady when he does that”.

A funeral will be held Saturday at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception at 11 a.m.

Scalia, 79, was found dead of natural causes Saturday in Texas.

Four out of the past seven funerals for a Supreme Court justice has either had the president or vice president in attendance.

Instead, they intend to pay their respects while Scalia’s body lies in repose in the Great Hall on Friday. Many waited outside for almost an hour before they could enter the court’s Great Hall and circle briefly around Scalia’s flag-draped casket. An Obama appointment could tilt the conservative-leaning court to the left for the first time in decades.

Several of the justices, particularly Elena Kagan, a liberal who went on hunting trips with her conservative colleague, looked emotional as they stood in a row while Scalia’s casket was placed on a raised bier.

Republicans, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, have said the Senate should not consider a nominee to replace Scalia during an election year. However, the American people, through their duly elected senators, also have a voice in who becomes the next Supreme Court Justice.

The sudden death of the outspoken, conservative justice complicated an already tumultuous election year.

Obama said whoever he nominates will be well-qualified and should receive a hearing before the Judiciary Committee and a confirmation vote by the full Senate. Justice Clarence Thomas said, “It is hard to imagine the court without my friend”.

However, Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, are expected to attend the funeral. Supreme Fourt Justice Antonin Scalia remembered as intellectual force ” You have called your servant Antonin out of this world.