Justice Clarence Thomas Urges Supreme Court to Rethink Legal Precedents Amid Conservative Majority

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas recently questioned the rigid adherence to judicial precedent, or stare decisis, urging a more critical approach to past rulings during a rare public appearance at Catholic University's Columbus School of Law. He emphasized that precedent should not be treated as "the gospel" but must respect legal tradition and be based on solid foundations rather than unexamined acceptance. Thomas criticized his fellow justices metaphorically, comparing them to train passengers who blindly follow the direction without knowing who controls the engine, warning that some precedents might be poorly founded. His remarks come as the Supreme Court prepares to hear cases that could overturn or reshape longstanding rulings, including challenges to the 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges decision legalizing same-sex marriage, a 90-year-old decision limiting presidential authority over independent agencies, and significant race and redistricting rulings. Known for his conservative views and history of dissenting opinions, Thomas has previously called for revisiting landmark cases involving contraception, same-sex intimacy, and marriage. His comments reflect ongoing debates within the Court about the balance between respecting precedent and reinterpreting constitutional principles.