Supreme Court justices generally don’t show much emotion during presidential addresses, no matter who’s speaking, and President Donald Trump’s first time delivering such an address was no exception.
In 2010, Associate Justice Samuel Alito mouthed “not true” during a speech by President Barack Obama and hasn’t been back since, complaining that it’s “very awkward” to “have to sit there like the proverbial potted plant most of the time.”
This year, five of the eight justices turned up for the event ― and on social media, viewers were on guard for any moment that went beyond judicial stoicism.
Here’s some of what they caught:
We are all Justice Kagan #JointAddress pic.twitter.com/ANiCAQD5Is
— UltraViolet (@UltraViolet) March 1, 2017
Anyone else notice how badass SCOTUS justices always look at presidential addresses? #JointSession
— Nathan Pillay (@npillay41) March 1, 2017
Supreme Court Justices arranged in order of cheerfulness. #SOTU pic.twitter.com/DL4sLNIGnp
— (((Richard Feren))) (@RichardFeren) March 1, 2017
We. Are. Kagan. #Jointsession pic.twitter.com/XqqmMko8uO
— Ebony (@hey_ebie) March 1, 2017
Justice Kagan has it right. #JointAddress pic.twitter.com/fXa1GaHwNL
— Neff ⚡️ in ⚡️ Texas (@nffcnnr) March 1, 2017
The justices look like they jusy want to take a nap.
— Travis (@Coloradotrv) March 1, 2017
The cut-away just now to the SCOTUS justices looking at Trump like ‘Oh my God, what has this nation done’ was priceless. #JointSession
— Jason Karsh (@jkarsh) March 1, 2017
That Elena Kagan face tho 👀#JointAddress pic.twitter.com/V6eVidJEGS
— The Tylt (@TheTylt) March 1, 2017
Everyone is talking about Justice Kagan's reaction at the #JointAddress but I am Justice Breyer. pic.twitter.com/8PKt9QxU0I
— Rose H (@DingleBearE69) March 1, 2017
SCOTUS is as horrified as I am. #JointAddress pic.twitter.com/tSzg2ylCbF
— Jackie (@LiberalMmama) March 1, 2017
Justices Breyer, Sotomayor and Kagan look horrified #JointSession
— Mariano D. Rivera (@AREVIRMARI) March 1, 2017
Kagan gets it. #jointAddress pic.twitter.com/PdZu04dcVv
— Talia (@2020fight) March 1, 2017
The Supreme Court is me. #JointAddress pic.twitter.com/2WRDmQ8yIs
— Mike Drucker (@MikeDrucker) March 1, 2017
I love the stoicism of the Supreme Court justices - I assume it's required, but it's charming #JointSession
— Levi Griffin (@awk_ravenclaw) March 1, 2017
All of my beloved #SCOTUS justices outchea like #MarshawnLynch "I'm just here so I wont get fined" #JointAddress pic.twitter.com/vnjAn9BVDi
— Megan Ming Francis (@meganfrancis) March 1, 2017
Justices Kagan, Breyer, and Kennedy reflect how I'm feeling watching this speech pic.twitter.com/v2oKzxTnWa
— Lea (@actualwombat) March 1, 2017
@MikeDrucker *record scratch* "You're probably wondering how I ended up in this situation." pic.twitter.com/kOvxWYh8DY
— Katie Kasarda (@deejaykfm) March 1, 2017
"Why didn't I just stay home with Ruth?" —all the Supreme Court justices attending the #JointAddress, probably. #NotoriousRBG #JointSession pic.twitter.com/g9mOjNKzAA
— Beth Rader (@BethRader) March 1, 2017
What it looks like when Supreme Court Justices throw up in their mouth a little. #JointSession #notmypresident pic.twitter.com/TwHCYQ7Qd3
— TheKitchenWitch (@kitchenwitch62) March 1, 2017
The strained faces of the Supreme Court Justices during the speech taking place says it all.
— Jeffrey Mar (@jeffreymar) March 1, 2017
Justice Breyer is all of us. #JusticeBreyer #JointSession pic.twitter.com/Q5KWFnNWEs
— Maria Cristina (@KittyOrtegon) March 1, 2017
Of course, it is possible to have even less of a reaction. Ruth Bader Ginsburg was known for nodding off:
#JointAddress where is the sleeper JUSTICE SHE IS NOT PRESENT pic.twitter.com/vRgNWw1toI
— Hello2017 (@TeamTrumpAZ) March 1, 2017
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