Not 'the gospel.' Ahead of Supreme Court term, Clarence Thomas weighs in on precedent
Source: USA Today
Updated Sept. 27, 2025, 10:50 a.m. ET
WASHINGTON As the Supreme Court is about to revisit some major decisions, one of the nine justices - and a key member of the conservative majority - has offered his view that theres nothing sacred about precedent.
"At some point we need to think about what we're doing with stare decisis, Justice Clarence Thomas said about the legal term that protects stability in the law. "And it's not some sort of talismanic deal where you can just say 'stare decisis' and not think, turn off the brain.
Thomas offered that view in a rare public appearance at Catholic University's Columbus School of Law on Sept. 25. He was asked about the factors he considers when deciding whether a past decision was wrong and did not address any pending cases.
In the term that begins next month, the court will revisit a nearly century-old ruling protecting the heads of independent agencies that President Donald Trump has repeatedly challenged as hes sought greater control over the government.
Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/09/27/supreme-court-justice-clarence-thomas-precedent-overturn/86390719007/
Thurgood Marshall is rolling in his grave throwing things.


LiberalArkie
(18,982 posts)constitution.
elleng
(140,867 posts)"A well regulated Militia," according to Scalia's reading.
otchmoson
(222 posts)To rescind, repeal any decision to which he affixed his opinion and name. He CAN'T live forever! Go ahead, you corrupt justice . . . when the SC changes members, I think his contributions will be remembered as some of the most anti-intellectual garbage a supposed "educated" man couuld have offered.
slightlv
(6,618 posts)They're getting ready to finish tearing up the Constitution and throw it down the toilet. Every precedent set since we became a country will be thrown out as fodder for the christian nationalists. It's not even trump these days. trump is on his way out... I have no doubt a lot of this crap we're seeing about trump right now on "this paper showing up" or "that tape being released" is simply a line of "someone's" trying to be next in line for trump's money and legacy. Vance has a rude awakening, I think, if he believes he's going to just step in as president thanks to the constitution. That's not who the NAR wants; and the dominionists have sunk too much money and ill-will into this country to see a change happen that THEY don't control this time.
AFAIC, it's time for some heavy duty 2nd Amendment action. And if the Magas can't see it for themselves, they may need to be shown that OUR colors don't run.
yankee87
(2,675 posts)Might as well face it, say goodbye to Gay marriage. Maybe bringing back Reich Wing Xtian prayers in school.
The 30% Xtian nationalists are running the country.
BumRushDaShow
(160,709 posts)because those white supremacists running this administration wouldn't tolerate a Thomas and Ginny.
Buddyzbuddy
(1,549 posts)a legislative body? By saying the Court can ignore precedent and just decide to make laws from the bench. That's legislating not interpreting. How do 6 people arbitrarily decide, no, that previous majority didn't know what they were talking about, we're going to "ignore history" and start from scratch. Sound familiar?
The decision by these 6 is predetermined so they have to create a justification for their "decision". Since overturning Roe v. Wade it's getting easier for them to ignore precedent and make outlandish decisions. They answer to nobody, for now.
They have given the Presidency full immunity and by extension, they've given this rogue court the same immunity.
slightlv
(6,618 posts)I don't even want to see these 6 people impeached. I want to see them frogmarched from their chambers and the court and straight to jail for bribery and crimes against the People.
Buddyzbuddy
(1,549 posts)
Marthe48
(21,917 posts)n/t
Raven123
(7,074 posts)As Kagan said, SCOTUS explains things. The shadow docket rulings have been catastrophic for the judiciary. No one one knows what is going on.
This SCOTUS is just doing Trumps bidding and we know it.
Bayard
(27,139 posts)And yes--cut your own throat, Clarence, when he decides no more inter-racial marriages.
Does anyone have any doubt trump will throw the Supremes under the bus as soon as he has it all? I really worry about the 3 women....what he might do to them, and will they stay healthy so he doesn't stick us with another miscreant.
Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin
(129,044 posts)Give me a big bribe if you want precedent overturned.
republianmushroom
(21,468 posts)The corrupt roberts court.
Cheezoholic
(3,313 posts)Gimpyknee
(691 posts)Thomas needs to turn his on.
Montauk6
(9,248 posts)"At some point....... we need to think.... about what... we're doing........................ with stare decisis. And it's not... some sort of.... uhh.......talismanic deal... where you can just say................. 'stare decisis'... and not think........................turn off the brain.
QED
(3,189 posts)Why don't you ever mention that case?
JHB
(37,836 posts)...ever since those decision came down in the 1930s. Not to mention a laundry list of decisions made since then.
Don't kid yourselves: overturning everything rich wingnuts don't like is the goal.