POLITICS

Clarence Thomas: 30 years on the Supreme Court

USA TODAY
President George H.W. Bush introduces Clarence Thomas as his nominee to replace retiring Justice Thurgood Marshall during a press conference on July 1, 1991, at his summer home in Kennebunkport, Maine
President George H.W. Bush introduces Clarence Thomas as his nominee to replace retiring Justice Thurgood Marshall during a press conference on July 1, 1991, at his summer home in Kennebunkport, Maine
Doug Mills, AP
Thomas is sworn in before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Sept. 10, 1991.
Thomas is sworn in before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Sept. 10, 1991.
John Duricka, AP
Thomas is sworn in to the Supreme Court on Oct. 18, 1991, by Justice Byron White. Looking on, from left, are first lady Barbara Bush, President George H.W. Bush and Thomas' wife, Virginia Lamp Thomas.
Thomas is sworn in to the Supreme Court on Oct. 18, 1991, by Justice Byron White. Looking on, from left, are first lady Barbara Bush, President George H.W. Bush and Thomas' wife, Virginia Lamp Thomas.
AP
President Bill Clinton poses with members of the Supreme Court on Oct. 1, 1993. From left are Antonin Scalia, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Anthony Kennedy, John Paul Stevens, Chief Justice William Rehnquist, the president, Harry Blackmun, Sandra Day O'Connor, David Souter and Thomas.
President Bill Clinton poses with members of the Supreme Court on Oct. 1, 1993. From left are Antonin Scalia, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Anthony Kennedy, John Paul Stevens, Chief Justice William Rehnquist, the president, Harry Blackmun, Sandra Day O'Connor, David Souter and Thomas.
Ken Heinen, Pool/AP
Thomas prepares to address the Federalist Society's national meeting on Sept. 22, 1995, in Washington.
Thomas prepares to address the Federalist Society's national meeting on Sept. 22, 1995, in Washington.
Wilfredo Lee, AP
Thomas and Florida Panthers owner Wayne Huizenga, right, listen to former Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula during a break in the Florida Panthers-St. Louis Blues hockey game at the Miami Arena on Feb. 11, 1996.
Thomas and Florida Panthers owner Wayne Huizenga, right, listen to former Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula during a break in the Florida Panthers-St. Louis Blues hockey game at the Miami Arena on Feb. 11, 1996.
Marta Lavandier, AP
Thomas talks with Eva Jordan of Boston prior to the New England School of Law dinner on Nov. 21, 1996, where Thomas gave the keynote address.
Thomas talks with Eva Jordan of Boston prior to the New England School of Law dinner on Nov. 21, 1996, where Thomas gave the keynote address.
Susan Walsh, AP
Thomas makes a presentation to the Forum Club in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Dec. 19, 1997.
Thomas makes a presentation to the Forum Club in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Dec. 19, 1997.
Gary I. Rothstein, AP
Thomas signs autographs in Memphis, Tenn., on July 29, 1998, after addressing the National Bar Association.
Thomas signs autographs in Memphis, Tenn., on July 29, 1998, after addressing the National Bar Association.
John L. Focht, AP
Thomas gestures while addressing the National Restaurant Association's 14th annual Public Affairs Conference in Washington on Sept. 14, 1998.
Thomas gestures while addressing the National Restaurant Association's 14th annual Public Affairs Conference in Washington on Sept. 14, 1998.
KEN CEDENO, Associated Press
Thomas and Justice David Souter confer before the start of a House Appropriations subcommittee hearing on March 15, 2000, on Capitol Hill.
Thomas and Justice David Souter confer before the start of a House Appropriations subcommittee hearing on March 15, 2000, on Capitol Hill.
Joe Marquette, AP
Thomas speaks at the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research dinner on Feb. 13, 2001, in Washington.
Thomas speaks at the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research dinner on Feb. 13, 2001, in Washington.
KAMENKO PAJIC, Associated Press
President George W. Bush watches as Tom Ridge is sworn in to head the new Office of Homeland Security by Thomas during an East Room ceremony at the White House on Oct. 8, 2001.
President George W. Bush watches as Tom Ridge is sworn in to head the new Office of Homeland Security by Thomas during an East Room ceremony at the White House on Oct. 8, 2001.
J. Scott Applewhite, AP
Thomas speaks to students at Benjamin Banneker High School in Washington on May 20, 2003.
Thomas speaks to students at Benjamin Banneker High School in Washington on May 20, 2003.
AP
President George W. Bush shakes hands with Thomas after the swearing-in ceremony of new United Nations ambassador and former senator John Danforth at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on July 1, 2004, in Washington.
President George W. Bush shakes hands with Thomas after the swearing-in ceremony of new United Nations ambassador and former senator John Danforth at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on July 1, 2004, in Washington.
Charles Dharapak, AP
Supreme Court justices precede the casket of Chief Justice William Rehnquist down the steps of the Supreme Court on Sept. 7, 2005.
Supreme Court justices precede the casket of Chief Justice William Rehnquist down the steps of the Supreme Court on Sept. 7, 2005.
Andrew Councill, AFP/Getty Images
Chief Justice John Roberts and Associate Justices Thomas, Stephen Breyer and Samuel Alito listen to President George W. Bush deliver his State of the Union Address on Jan. 31, 2006.
Chief Justice John Roberts and Associate Justices Thomas, Stephen Breyer and Samuel Alito listen to President George W. Bush deliver his State of the Union Address on Jan. 31, 2006.
H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY
Thomas speaks at Marshall University in Huntington, W.Va., on Sept. 10, 2007.
Thomas speaks at Marshall University in Huntington, W.Va., on Sept. 10, 2007.
Randy Snyder, AP
Thomas sits with his wife, Virginia Lamp Thomas, as he is introduced at the Federalist Society in Washington on Nov. 15, 2007.
Thomas sits with his wife, Virginia Lamp Thomas, as he is introduced at the Federalist Society in Washington on Nov. 15, 2007.
Charles Dharapak, AP
Thomas and Justice Anthony Kennedy testify on Capitol Hill on March 13, 2008, about concerns with the ongoing remodeling of the court building, the reduction of paperwork due to electronic media and the disparity of pay between federal judges and lawyers working in the private sector.
Thomas and Justice Anthony Kennedy testify on Capitol Hill on March 13, 2008, about concerns with the ongoing remodeling of the court building, the reduction of paperwork due to electronic media and the disparity of pay between federal judges and lawyers working in the private sector.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images
Thomas smiles as he gets a standing ovation after being introduced by student Robin Wright, right, before delivering a speech at Lee Chapel on the campus of Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Va., on March 16, 2009.
Thomas smiles as he gets a standing ovation after being introduced by student Robin Wright, right, before delivering a speech at Lee Chapel on the campus of Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Va., on March 16, 2009.
Don Petersen, AP
In this photo provided by the University of Florida, Thomas does the "gator chomp" with law school student Zack Smith at the end of his speech at the Levin College of Law on the University of Florida campus on Sept. 21, 2012, in Gainesville, Fla.
In this photo provided by the University of Florida, Thomas does the "gator chomp" with law school student Zack Smith at the end of his speech at the Levin College of Law on the University of Florida campus on Sept. 21, 2012, in Gainesville, Fla.
Ray Carson, AP
Thomas joins fellow justices at President Obama's second inauguration on Jan. 21, 2013.
Thomas joins fellow justices at President Obama's second inauguration on Jan. 21, 2013.
H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY
Thomas and his wife arrive for the funeral for fellow Associate Justice Antonin Scalia at the the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on Feb. 20, 2016, in Washington.
Thomas and his wife arrive for the funeral for fellow Associate Justice Antonin Scalia at the the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on Feb. 20, 2016, in Washington.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images
Thomas speaks with a member of the clergy as they leave St. Mathews Cathedral after the Red Mass in Washington on Oct. 2, 2016.
Thomas speaks with a member of the clergy as they leave St. Mathews Cathedral after the Red Mass in Washington on Oct. 2, 2016.
Jose Luis Magana, AP
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas administers the oath of office to Vice President Mike Pence during the 2017 Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 20, 2017.
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas administers the oath of office to Vice President Mike Pence during the 2017 Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 20, 2017.
Porter Binks, USA TODAY
(L-R) U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts and associate justices Clarence Thomas, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer and Samuel Alito attend the ceremony where Judge Neil Gorsuch takes the judicial oath during a ceremony in the Rose Garden at the White House April 10, 2017 in Washington, DC. Earlier in the day Gorsuch, 49, was sworn in as the 113th Associate Justice in a private ceremony at the Supreme Court.
(L-R) U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts and associate justices Clarence Thomas, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer and Samuel Alito attend the ceremony where Judge Neil Gorsuch takes the judicial oath during a ceremony in the Rose Garden at the White House April 10, 2017 in Washington, DC. Earlier in the day Gorsuch, 49, was sworn in as the 113th Associate Justice in a private ceremony at the Supreme Court.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images
Chief Justice of the United States John G. Roberts and Associate Justice Clarence Thomas speak during a group photo of all nine Supreme Court Justices on June 1, 2017.
Chief Justice of the United States John G. Roberts and Associate Justice Clarence Thomas speak during a group photo of all nine Supreme Court Justices on June 1, 2017.
Jasper Colt, USA TODAY
US Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas (R) and his wife Virginia Thomas, (C) watch as the flag-draped casket of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg arrives at the Supreme Court in Washington, DC, on Sept. 23, 2020.
US Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas (R) and his wife Virginia Thomas, (C) watch as the flag-draped casket of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg arrives at the Supreme Court in Washington, DC, on Sept. 23, 2020.
Pool Photo By ANDREW HARNIK
President Donald Trump watches as Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas administers the Constitutional Oath to Amy Coney Barrett on the South Lawn of the White House White House in Washington, Monday, Oct. 26, 2020, after Barrett was confirmed to be a Supreme Court justice by the Senate earlier in the evening. Holding the Bible is Barrett's husband, Jesse Barrett.
President Donald Trump watches as Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas administers the Constitutional Oath to Amy Coney Barrett on the South Lawn of the White House White House in Washington, Monday, Oct. 26, 2020, after Barrett was confirmed to be a Supreme Court justice by the Senate earlier in the evening. Holding the Bible is Barrett's husband, Jesse Barrett.
Alex Brandon, AP
Justice Clarence Thomas
Justice Clarence Thomas
Erin Schaff/Pool Photo
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas speaks on Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, at the University of Notre Dame’s DeBartolo Performing Arts Center in South Bend, Ind.. The associate justice gave the university's Tocqueville Lecture for an event presented by the Center for Citizenship & Constitutional Government.
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas speaks on Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, at the University of Notre Dame’s DeBartolo Performing Arts Center in South Bend, Ind.. The associate justice gave the university's Tocqueville Lecture for an event presented by the Center for Citizenship & Constitutional Government.
Robert Franklin, South Bend Tribune Via USA TODAY NETWORK