US President Barrack Obama, the Supreme Court members and legal luminaries gathered to pay their respect to the deceased Justice Antonin Scalia's somber ceremony on Friday. Law clerks and Supreme Court staff watch the said private ceremony in the Great Hall of the US Supreme Court, where the late Supreme Court Justice lies in repose in Washington.
According to Reuters, the US president and the first lady Michelle Obama visited the afternoon ceremony were they are greeted by Chief Justice John Roberts. They also talked to the family members of Scalia. The two were seen stood in silence while their heads bowed as they paid their respect in front of the late Supreme Court Justice's casket.
Scalia's casket was carried by the Supreme Court police officers to the courthouse's grand marble stairs at the Great Hall in ceremonial dress. Present at the ceremony were a group of Scalia's former law clerks. Among the justices who visited was Elena Kagan, who was seen emotional during the ceremony. Kagan and Scalia were known to go on hunting trips together, Times of New Man reported.
His Roman Catholic priest son, Father Paul Scalia, one of Scalia's nine children, delivered a prayer in front of the eight justices and the rest of Scalia's family members. Mourners filed past the casket, draped by the red, white and blue U.S. flag, and the line of people waiting to enter the courthouse stretched around the block.
Among the prominent visitors during the ceremony was Paul Clement. Clement previously worked as clerk and as solicitor general under the previous George W. Bush Presidency, CNN News reported. Donald Verrilli, the current solicitor general, White House counsel Neil Eggleston and Attorney General Loretta lynch were all present at the ceremony. Ted Cruz, the Texas senator and presidential candidate also paid his respect for the late justice court member.
Scalia, appointed to the court by Republican President Ronald Reagan in 1986, died at a Texas hunting resort at age 79. His family said he died of natural causes. His funeral service is scheduled on Saturday.
Obama will not attend Scalia's funeral on Saturday at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, a decision that provoked criticism from some conservatives. Vice President Joe Biden will represent the Obama administration at the funeral.
