A recent address by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas at the University of Texas at Austin drew both enthusiastic applause and notable protests on Wednesday.
Justice Thomas, the longest-serving member of the U.S. Supreme Court, received a standing ovation upon entering UT’s Hogg Memorial Auditorium. The event marked his first formal invitation to the campus, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, a document he described as foundational to the nation’s identity.
“It gave us the freest, wealthiest, and most powerful nation in the history of the world,” Thomas emphasized during his speech. UT President Jim Davis, who introduced the Justice, highlighted Thomas’s life and convictions, stating, “We’re here to learn from someone who has devoted a life to a great experiment.” Davis expressed admiration for Thomas, likening his spirit to that of a Longhorn.
Throughout his remarks, Thomas underscored the need to preserve the nation’s founding principles, cautioning that the commitment that originally shaped the country appears to be diminishing. “It is that devotion that we are missing today and that we must find in our hearts if this nation is to endure,” he stated. He urged the audience to take ownership of their country, warning against allowing external influences to dictate their thoughts.
As the University of Texas System reviews its gender and ethnic studies programs, Thomas expressed hope that the institution could inspire others to embrace a similar approach. “It is my sincere hope that your work to revitalize the teaching and research of Western civilization and the American constitutional tradition will lead the way in the reform of our nation’s colleges and universities,” he remarked.
At the conclusion of his address, Justice Thomas was presented with a University of Texas jersey as a token of appreciation.
However, outside the auditorium, a contrasting scene unfolded as a group of students protested against Thomas’s appearance. Georgia Schmitt, a member of the Austin Students for a Democratic Society, expressed disappointment, saying, “We feel very betrayed about it.” She and fellow demonstrators marched across campus, voicing their discontent with the university’s decision to host the conservative Justice.
“Everyone here disagrees with his past, no matter what people’s political ideologies are,” Schmitt stated, calling it “embarrassing” to have Thomas as a guest on campus.
Justice Thomas’s career has not been without controversy. In 1991, he faced allegations of sexual harassment from Anita Hill during his Senate confirmation hearings, where she claimed he made inappropriate comments while she was his subordinate. Thomas denied these allegations and was confirmed by a narrow Senate vote.
More recently, in 2023, Thomas garnered scrutiny after a report revealed he had accepted undisclosed gifts from affluent benefactors over several years.
