Conservative Justice Clarence Thomas for the first time recused himself from a case involving the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by supporters of then-President Donald Trump as the Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal brought by former Trump legal adviser John Eastman. …

Thomas stepped aside in the case involving Eastman, who had served as a law clerk to the justice. As is typical for justices, Thomas did not explain why he recused himself.

Eastman’s case also involved the Jan. 6 committee, centering on the former law professor’s efforts to prevent his former employer, Chapman University, from handing over emails.

[This is a pretty straightforward recusal, despite NBC’s attempt to tie it to Thomas’ politics. Eastman clerked for Thomas at one point and likely the two remained in friendly contact since. Eastman also publicly defended Thomas over ethics questions a little over a month ago. — Ed]