Not-So-Shocking News of the Day: Justice Alito Won't Attend Next State of the Union Address

Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito made headlines back in January when he mouthed some mild disapproval during President Barack Obama's State of the Union Address as Obama made false statements about the Court's landmark free speech ruling in Citizens United v. F.E.C. Speaking in New York last week, Alito made it clear he won't be sitting through another such presidential performance. As the Associated Press reports:

The justice said the annual speech to Congress has become very political and awkward for the justices, who he says are expected to sit "like the proverbial potted plant."

Of course, Alito did not remain impassive at the most recent State of the Union speech by President Barack Obama. He reacted to Obama's unusual rebuke of the court for its decision in a campaign finance case by shaking his head and mouthing the words "not true."…

The better course, Alito said, is to follow the example of more experienced justices like Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas and the recently retired John Paul Stevens. None has attended in several years.

"So I doubt that I will be there in January," Alito said.

Read Reason's coverage of Citizens United and its fallout here. Relive the "not true" moment below: