I believe he is on the ventilator as the judge in a DC insurrectionist trial refused to allow another attorney for his firm to file an appearance for Pierce on his behalf.
When Judge Amit Mehta asked where Pierce was, Marshall said, “Mr. Pierce is in the hospital, we believe, with COVID-19, on a ventilator, non-responsive.”
Judge Mehta wished the Pierce family well and scheduled a hearing next Thursday rather than accepting the appearance of a lawyer on a ventilator to represent his 18th client in this matter.