A conference with all nine justices? Is this normal, or unusual? I always thought the Chief Justice decided which cases to hear based on briefs.
All cases are handled in this way.
A case is submitted to one of the justices and if they think the case bears review they will bring it to conference.
Then after discussion the entire panel votes to hear arguments or not.
What I believe is a little unusual is that a case be brought up this late in the (can’t think of the proper word) term. Which indicates that Justice Thomas recognizes that this case requires timely consideration.