Not 'the gospel.' Ahead of Supreme Court term, Clarence Thomas weighs in on precedent

[BumRushDaShow]

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 there’s 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 he’s 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/

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Thurgood Marshall is rolling in his grave throwing things.

[LiberalArkie]

1. How about "stare decisis" ruling on the real meaning of the 2nd amendment? Opps. forgot that is the whole basis of

constitution.

[elleng]

3. Just forget

"A well regulated Militia," according to Scalia's reading.

[otchmoson]

2. He's setting the precedent

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]

12. That's exactly what I thought when I first read the headline!

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]

4. Marriage for our LGBTQ citizens

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]

8. And hello anti-miscegenation laws again (Loving v. Virginia)

because those white supremacists running this administration wouldn't tolerate a Thomas and Ginny.

[Buddyzbuddy]

5. Doesn't that mean he just made the Supreme Court

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]

13. WHEN we take back our country,

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]

19. Absolutely

[Marthe48]

6. Even the gospel isn't the gospel to that crudball

n/t

[Raven123]

7. Well they aren't even thinking

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 Trump’s bidding and we know it.

[Bayard]

9. He means to give trump everything he ever dreamed of,

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]

10. Meaning

Give me a big bribe if you want precedent overturned.

[republianmushroom]

11. How's the gratuities and tips coming in Thomas ?

The corrupt roberts court.

[Cheezoholic]

16. The kind the tax breaks were REALLY meant for, not a couple bucks for a waitress ;) n/t

[Gimpyknee]

14. Turn off the brain?

Thomas needs to turn his on.

[Montauk6]

15. Wai-wai-wait! They're not quoting His Honour properly (with your kind indulgence) AHEM!!...

"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]

17. What about Virginia vs. Loving, Clarence?

Why don't you ever mention that case?

[otchmoson]

21. Loving, schmuving

Maybe he's relying on it to get him out of a marriage to a drunk and avoid expensive divorce litigation.

[JHB]

18. Right-wingers have wanted to revese the decisions that legalized the New Deal, Social Security, etc....

...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.

[rurallib]

20. Wonder what his "tip" was for saying that?

[Scalded Nun]

22. Remember those words you just used, you corrupt, treasonous piece of shit.