Congratulations are in order for Justice Clarence Thomas, who just became our nation’s fifth longest-serving Supreme Court justice.
Nominated to the Court by former President George H.W. Bush, the U.S. Senate confirmed Thomas as an associate justice on October 15, 1991, in a 52-48 vote after a contentious confirmation hearing.
Thomas began his tenure on the Supreme Court on October 23, 1991. Since then, he’s served for 34 years and 29 days (that’s 12,448 days), beating out Justice Hugo Black.
In roughly five months, Thomas will – God-willing – surpass Chief Justice John Marshall, and Justices John Paul Stevens and Stephen Johnson Field, to become our nation’s second longest-serving justice, behind only William O. Douglass, who served for 36 years and 209 days.
During his time on the Court, Thomas has been the leader of the court’s conservative wing. He’s proved to be an ardent proponent of originalism, the judicial philosophy that asserts the Constitution means today what it meant at the time it was written.
Thomas’ philosophy has led him to dissent from the Court’s conclusion the Constitution guarantees a “right” to same-sex marriage, as it decided in Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015.
“Our Constitution — like the Declaration of Independence before it — was predicated on a simple truth: One’s liberty, not to mention one’s dignity, was something to be shielded from — not provided by — the State,” Thomas wrote in his dissent to Obergefell. “[The Court’s] decision will have inestimable consequences for our Constitution and our society.”
In 2022, Thomas joined the Court’s majority in deciding the Constitution does not contain a “right” to abortion. He wrote in a concurring opinion,
Thomas has also been an ardent defender of religious freedom, free speech, and equality under the law.
Thomas joined the Court’s majority in 2023, ruling that affirmative action and racial quotas in college admission processes violate the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. Thomas opined,
In 2008, Thomas released his autobiography, My Grandfather’s Son: A Memoir. The book is as inspiring as it is compelling.
In 2020, filmmakers Michael Pack, Gina Cappo Pack and Faith Jones released a movie about Clarence Thomas’ life. The film, Created Equal: Clarence Thomas in His Own Words, does a remarkable job telling the 77-year-old’s life story, his conversion from radical leftist to courageous conservative, and his unlikely ascendance to the highest Court in the land.
If you haven’t seen the movie, it’s well worth your time. You can watch a trailer for the film below:
The Daily Citizen congratulates Clarence Thomas on becoming our nation’s fifth longest-serving justice. We thank him for his service to our nation and hope he continues to serve on the Court for many years to come.
Related articles and resources:
Right Again, Justice Thomas: The Constitution, not Precedent Should Decide Cases
Cheering Justice Thomas’ Important Defense of Children From ‘Trans’ Procedures
Celebrating Clarence Thomas’ Remarkable 32 Years on the U.S. Supreme Court
On This Independence Day, Clarence Thomas Explains What’s Great About America
Justice Clarence Thomas Spotted Laying Wreaths at Arlington Cemetery to Honor our Military
Celebrating Giants Like Justice Clarence Thomas During Black History Month
Created Equal: Clarence Thomas in His Own Words
Photo from Getty Images.
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