Here's how to listen to the US Supreme Court's live oral arguments

Justices to hear major cases on president's financial records and the Electoral College via teleconference due to the coronavirus pandemic

For the first time in the history of the United States, listeners across the country can tune into the Supreme Court's live oral arguments for the next two weeks from the comfort of their homes.

The new live stream was the result of the coronavirus pandemic, as the nation’s justices began hearing cases on Monday via teleconference.

Arguments over several major cases were set to take place during the live audio sessions, including everything from congressional access to the president’s financial records, religious freedom and the Electoral College.

C-SPAN was hosting a live stream of the Supreme Court’s oral arguments on its website, which also featured a full schedule and other information about the upcoming cases. Other outlets hosting live streams of the oral arguments included NPR and PBS.

The oral arguments have already proven newsworthy, as Justice Clarence Thomas ended a year-long silence on Monday.

Usually silent during oral arguments, the justice asked a series of questions about trademark protections in the era of e-commerce.

A change in procedures may have been in part the reason for the justice’s rare line of questioning: rather than the rapid-fire style back-and-forth arguments the court typically presides over, the teleconference posed a much slower process and format for lengthy queries.

In the new format, the justices speak during the arguments in order of seniority. The order goes as follows: Chief Justice John Roberts, followed by Justice Clarence, then Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Justice Stephen Breyer, Justice Samuel Alito, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Justice elena Kagan, Justice Neil Gorsuch and Justice Bretty Kavanaugh.

Read more of The Independent's coverage on the Supreme court here.