Justice Clarence Thomas reached a milestone this week by becoming the second-longest-serving justice in U.S. Supreme Court history, according to multiple reports. At 77 years old, Thomas has surpassed Justice Stephen J. Field's tenure of over three decades and is now only behind liberal Justice William O. Douglas.
Key Takeaways
Clarence Thomas has become the second-longest-serving justice on the U.S. Supreme Court, surpassing Justice Stephen J. Field's tenure. At 77 years old, he continues to wield significant influence in conservative legal movements.
- Clarence Thomas becomes the second-longest serving justice in Supreme Court history
- Justice William O. Douglas has a longer tenure than Thomas but will be surpassed if Thomas remains on the court until 2028
- Thomas is known for his influential rulings on abortion, voting rights, and Second Amendment issues
- Recent years have seen Thomas become more vocal during oral arguments and penning significant majority opinions
Thomas, who was confirmed in 1991 after contentious hearings that included sexual harassment allegations from Anita Hill, has become a towering figure in the conservative legal movement. Over the last decade, he has helped secure landmark rulings on abortion, voting rights, and Second Amendment issues. His influence has grown significantly with the appointment of three conservative justices by former President Donald Trump.
Thomas is now the most senior member of a supermajority that has overturned abortion as a constitutional right, ended affirmative action in college admissions, and sharply limited the Voting Rights Act. His seniority allows him to decide who writes an opinion if he's part of a majority that doesn't include Chief Justice John Roberts, which can influence other votes behind closed doors.
Off the bench, Thomas' sphere of influence includes his large network of former clerks, many of whom have served in the Trump administration and are increasingly filling federal judgeships. Despite recent scrutiny over lavish, undisclosed trips from a GOP megadonor and ethical questions surrounding his wife's political activism, Thomas shows no signs of retiring soon.
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