Chief Justice honours ‘rock star’ Ruth Bader Ginsburg as 100 clerks gather on steps in powerful display of grief

Chief Justice John Roberts honoured his colleague Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg during a tribute speech ahead of her lying in repose on the Supreme Court’s steps. 

“Justice Ginsburg’s life is one of the many versions of the American dream," Roberts said in the Great Hall of the Court. "Among the words that best describe Ruth: Tough, brave, a fighter, a winner. But also thoughtful, careful, compassionate, honest." 

During the tribute, he also acknowledged Ginsburg’s passion for opera music, a passion she shared with Justice Antonin Scalia, who died suddenly in 2016. 

“It has been said that Ruth wanted to be an opera virtuoso, but became a rock star instead," Roberts said. 

“[She] was not an opera star but she found her stage,” he added, acknowledging the courtroom as Ginsburg’s own way to perform. 

The Chief Justice served alongside Ginsburg for 15 of her 27-year career on the Supreme Court. 

“Her voice in court and in our conference room was soft, but when she spoke, people listened," he added. 

His powerful tribute on Wednesday morning came after Ginsburg’s casket was carried up the steps of the Supreme Court by the high court’s police. They carried the casket between rows of more than 100 law clerks to Ginsburg, who stood as honorary pallbearers for their former boss. 

In the Great Hall, her casket was placed on the Lincoln Catafalque, the platform on which President Abraham Lincoln´s coffin rested in the Capitol rotunda in 1865. 

The private ceremony included all eight remaining Supreme Court justices, who have not been together since March due to the coronavirus pandemic. Instead, the Supreme Court has held meetings via phone calls. 

Family and close friends of Ginsburg were also in attendance. 

Following the private ceremony, Ginsburg was placed on the steps of the Supreme Court where she will lie in repose for a public viewing on Wednesday from 11am to 10pm EST and on Thursday from 9am to 10pm. 

Past Supreme Court justices have lain in repose for just one day on the steps of the Court, but it was decided to honour Ginsburg with two days given she is the second woman to serve as a justice. The first, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, is still alive. 

The popularity of Ginsburg in recent years as a feminist and cultural icon also influenced her lying in repose for two days instead of one, as it was expected for thousands of mourners to file through to pay their respects.

President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton were two individuals who visited Ginsburg’s casket on Wednesday on the steps of the Supreme Court. The former president nominated Ginsburg to the Supreme Court in 1993. Mrs Clinton influenced the pick, according to reports. 

The White House announced that President Donald Trump was expected to pay his respects on Thursday while Ginsburg lies in repose. 

She will then be moved to the US Capitol to lie in state in National Statuary Hall on Friday as the first woman and second Supreme Court justice to receive the honour. Rosa Parks, a private civilian, is the only woman to lie in honour in the US Capitol. 

Ginsburg will be buried alongside her husband Martin Ginsburg, who died in 2010, in Arlington National Cemetery next week during a private ceremony with family and close friends.