Justice Clarence Thomas has reached a milestone, becoming the second-longest serving justice in US Supreme Court history, with his influence on American law more profound than ever. His tenure now exceeds 34 years, placing him ahead of Justice Stephen J. Field, who served from 1863 to 1897. Only liberal Justice William O. Douglas served longer; Thomas could surpass that record by 2028 if he remains on the bench.
Once considered an outlier, Thomas has cemented his position as a towering figure in the conservative legal movement. His seniority allows him to assign opinions when he is part of a majority that excludes Chief Justice John Roberts, a factor that can sway votes behind closed doors. The court, now with a conservative supermajority following three appointments by President Donald Trump, has overturned abortion rights, ended affirmative action in college admissions, and curtailed the Voting Rights Act.
Thomas's influence extends off the bench through his network of former clerks, many of whom have served in the Trump administration and are becoming federal judges. “That is an important legacy that he will leave,” said Sarah Konsky of the University of Chicago Law School. “Even as justices' own time on the court winds down, significant influence lives on through their clerks.”
Thomas's confirmation in 1991 was marked by contentious hearings involving sexual harassment allegations from Anita Hill, which he denied. More recently, he has faced scrutiny over undisclosed luxury trips from a Republican megadonor and his wife's conservative activism. He has said he was not required to disclose the trips and ignored calls to recuse himself from election-related cases.
Despite controversies, Thomas has evolved from a near-silent presence during oral arguments to frequently asking the first questions. He authored a pivotal 2022 opinion expanding Second Amendment rights. “He’s incredibly consistent,” said Scott Gerber, author of a book on Thomas's jurisprudence. Once known for solo dissents, “now he writes majority opinions.”
