“WASHINGTON (AP) — Clarence Thomas has been a Supreme Court justice for nearly three decades. It may finally be his moment.

Many Americans know Thomas largely from his bruising 1991 confirmation hearing, when he was accused of sexual harassment charges by former employee Anita Hill — charges he denied. People may know he’s a conservative and has gone years without speaking during arguments at the court. But scholars say it would be wise to pay closer attention to Thomas.

Thomas is now the longest-serving member of a court that has recently gotten more conservative, putting him in a unique and potentially powerful position, and he’s said he doesn’t plan on retiring anytime soon. With President Donald Trump’s nominees Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh now on the court, conservatives are firmly in control as the justices take on divisive issues such as abortion, gun control and LGBT rights…”

https://apnews.com/fbb07af9d5254aecbbab9422faf405ba

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Thomas is now the longest-serving member of a court that has recently gotten more conservative, putting him in a unique and potentially powerful position, and he’s said he doesn’t plan on retiring anytime soon. With President Donald Trump’s nominees Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh now on the court, conservatives are firmly in control

"Firmly in control"? Roberts is trying hard to be Kennedy.

Thomas makes my top five I'd like to have dinner with list. He's pushing 80. While I'm a big fan he needs to retire so that seat is under the control of the right for a replacement. What is it about this job that people feel they have to die doing it?

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Originally posted by 12131:

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Thomas is now the longest-serving member of a court that has recently gotten more conservative, putting him in a unique and potentially powerful position, and he’s said he doesn’t plan on retiring anytime soon. With President Donald Trump’s nominees Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh now on the court, conservatives are firmly in control

"Firmly in control"? Roberts is trying hard to be Kennedy.

If only RBG would kick and President Trump could replace her with a solid conservative. That would render Roberts all but irrelevant when it came to voting. I look forward to that happening very soon.

As much as I appreciate Thomas' time on the SCOTUS, he is 80 yo. Especially if Trump wins a 2nd term and hopefully holds on to the Senate, it might be prudent for Thomas to retire and give Trump another appointee.

Clarence Thomas is 70 years old. Born June 23, 1948.

quote:

Originally posted by 12131:

quote:

Thomas is now the longest-serving member of a court that has recently gotten more conservative, putting him in a unique and potentially powerful position, and he’s said he doesn’t plan on retiring anytime soon. With President Donald Trump’s nominees Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh now on the court, conservatives are firmly in control

"Firmly in control"? Roberts is trying hard to be Kennedy.

Yes he voted with the activist justices on a few important cases but I don't believe he will ever be another Kennedy. He still pretty reliably votes with the other originalists but when when he breaks ranks with them it becomes headline news. He has been a consistent Second Amendment supporter. It will be interesting to see how the vote goes on the NYC case but I don't think SCOTUS would have taken it unless the others were still confident in justice Roberts on that and they would know better than anyone.