The change came in a letter dated Monday sent to lawyers involved in the case, according to NBC News. It gave no reason for the shift, stating only, "Justice Alito has determined that he will not continue to participate in this case."
Alito had previously defended his decision to stay on the case through a court spokeswoman, telling NBC News there was no need for him to recuse himself. Left-leaning groups had pushed for his recusal, pointing to his stock holdings in oil companies. The case is set for arguments next week and could carry broad nationwide implications once the court rules.
For the parties involved, Alito's exit changes the makeup of the bench weighing the case, though it's unclear what that means for the outcome. The court hasn't said whether a replacement will step in or whether the case will move forward with one fewer justice.
A sitting Supreme Court justice reversing himself on recusal, with no explanation given, is the kind of move that raises more questions than it answers.