Clarence Thomas warns of rise in progressivism, urges young voters to embrace US founding principles

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas warned college students Wednesday of the dangers and rise of progressivism and urged them to stand up for the principles that the founders intended for the United States.  

The warning marked a rare public appearance for the Supreme Court's longest-serving justice, who was speaking at an event honoring the nation's 250th birthday. Supreme Court justices typically refrain from commenting publicly on politics.

Thomas acknowledged to the Texas audience that the founding fathers' principles have "fallen out of favor" in recent decades and urged younger generations to stand up for their own ideals.

"I think if we don’t stand up and take ownership of our country, and take responsibility for it, we are slowly letting others control how we think and what we think," Thomas said, according to Fox News.

"Progressivism seeks to replace the basic premises of the Declaration of Independence, and hence our form of government," he continued. "It holds that our rights and our dignities come not from God, but from the government. It requires of the people a subservience and weakness incompatible with a Constitution premised on the transcendent origin of our rights."

Thomas also warned of the dangers that progressivism could have on the future of the Supreme Court, noting that already the justices are not as close as they used to be.

"I joined the court that dealt with differences as friends, as we respected each other. ... That’s civility," Thomas said. "I don’t know how you bring it back in the current environment with social media and name calling and all and people accusing each other of various things and animus.

"I fear that that’s going to infect the institutions such as the court and judges, etc., in the future, because these are young people who will be in these jobs," he added.

The comments come as the Supreme Court is set to return to the bench Friday and is expected to release at least one ruling. 

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.