A Supreme Court oral argument was interrupted on Wednesday afternoon when the distinctive sound of a toilet flushing could be heard amid an ongoing debate.
Due to social distancing measures, the public has for the first time been able to remotely listen in to oral arguments held by the Supreme Court.
As key issues regarding the First Amendment are heard being discussed, an audibly flushing toilet is heard.
The culprit behind the flush has so far been unnamed, but the mishap highlights problems faced by justices, lawyers, and the world as many adjust to working from home amid the coronavirus pandemic.
LISTEN: Toilet flush during U.S. Supreme Court oral argument (h/t @nicninh) pic.twitter.com/He3QGMzvJI
— Jeremy Art (@cspanJeremy) May 6, 2020
Some social media users responded with cynical humour and thankful remarks that the sounds weren't worse.
At least you couldn't hear any preceding "plops" or a stream hitting the water.
— Gibodean (@gibodean) May 6, 2020
BREAKING CLARIFICATION! The flushing sound was our Bill of Rights and civil liberties being flushed down the toilet.
— Words Manifest Creation (@SatireandIrony) May 6, 2020
No big deal, it was just John Roberts dealing with the concept of the political objectivity of the Supreme Court.
— PCR RitesGood (@pcrritesgood) May 6, 2020
We could really increase attention from the public if Justices would use this as their signal for a bad argument.
— mdmurphyla (@mdmurphyla) May 6, 2020
Others hoped it would be enshrined into historic memory.
I hope this is written into the transcript.
— AltHomelandSecurity🇺🇸 (@AltHomelandSec) May 6, 2020
The free speech case being discussed as the flush occurred deals with a political consulting trade group against the federal government over the 1991 Telephone Consumer Protection Act banning automated phone calls and whether an exception should be made for government debt collection.
