Justice Clarence Thomas recently spoke out about the negativity and lies that have surrounded him and his wife in recent years. He shared his frustration with the scrutiny and criticism they have faced, particularly in relation to his wife’s involvement in trying to overturn the 2020 election and his acceptance of luxurious gifts from wealthy friends. Despite this, Thomas stated that he and his wife choose not to focus on the negativity and try to ignore their critics.
The justice, who faced calls for recusal due to his wife’s efforts to subvert the election, made these remarks at a judicial conference in Alabama. He expressed his concerns about the current trends in the federal courts, including the practice of seeking sympathetic judges and the increase in emergency petitions that ask the Supreme Court to consider issues quickly. Thomas criticized the cherry-picking of judges, which allows district judges to issue injunctions for the whole nation, and the use of the emergency docket, which he believes short-circuits the judicial process.
Thomas reminisced about his time on the court, expressing disbelief at how leaked opinions and intentional harm among justices have become more prevalent. He reiterated his belief in clear and plain writing in legal decisions, wanting those who do not practice law to be able to understand Supreme Court rulings. Despite his childhood in Georgia and his upbringing by his grandparents, Thomas said he never sought a public life but viewed it as his duty to serve as a judge and later as a justice.
The justice also discussed his and his wife’s love for traveling in their motor coach, enjoying interactions with ordinary people. He highlighted his efforts to make the court more representative of the country by selecting law clerks from outside Ivy League schools, with Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle being an example. Thomas expressed his gratitude for the collegiality of the conference but noted that increased security measures, following the leak of a draft decision in a significant case, prevented him from mingling with attendees as easily as before.
While Justice Thomas did not address the investigation that revealed he borrowed a significant sum of money from a wealthy friend to buy his luxury motor coach, he reiterated his commitment to making the court’s decisions understandable to all. He expressed his belief in the importance of doing what is required of him, despite the challenges he faces in his role. Thomas acknowledged the difficulty of being on the Supreme Court compared to the D.C. Circuit and expressed his preference, in hindsight, for the latter due to its challenges.
