Recent remarks made by Justice Clarence Thomas at the University of Texas at Austin have come under the spotlight, following a leak from the interim docket that revealed discussions about the current state of collegiality on the bench. Speaking during a celebration of the Declaration of Independence’s 250th anniversary, Thomas reflected on both historical and contemporary issues, including his views on progressivism and its perceived threats to the principles the Founders advocated.
The address was noteworthy not just for its philosophical musings but for its candid acknowledgment of evolving interpersonal dynamics within the Supreme Court. Responding to a student’s query on the topic, Thomas openly admitted that inter-justice relations have undergone significant changes since he joined the Court. “Oh, I don’t know…when I said a lot of that, it was when I first went to the court, and that was a different court,” he remarked.
Justice Thomas was well-received by segments of the audience, earning a standing ovation from students and conservative lawmakers. However, protests erupted outside the venue, centering on local issues such as the University of Texas’ consolidation of certain academic departments, as much as on Thomas himself.
Thomas’s speech touched on several contentious topics, ranging from the endurance of racial injustice to criticisms of past Supreme Court decisions like Plessy v. Ferguson. He also drew historical parallels between contemporary political ideologies and earlier regimes, referencing the likes of Otto von Bismarck when discussing progressivism’s impacts. According to Thomas, progressivism effectively argues that “our rights and our dignities come not from God, but from government,” a proposition he regards as antithetical to the Declaration of Independence.
In concluding his speech, Thomas encouraged students to embrace courage, citing it as a transformative trait that shapes character over time. His remarks suggest a blend of retrospection and caution — insights especially relevant in today’s rapidly changing legal landscape.