In a series of speeches delivered at separate events last Friday, Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito voiced their concerns about the state of affairs in America today, highlighting the alarming decline in support for freedom of speech as well as the rampant rise of cancel culture in Washington D.C., the nation’s capital.
Justice Thomas spoke at a conference hosted by the U.S.
Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit in Point Clear, Alabama.
During this event, he was asked to comment on the current state of affairs in the world by the moderator, U.S.
District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle.
In response, Justice Thomas stated that there are significant challenges within this environment.
We’re in a world and we—certainly my wife and I the last two or three years it’s been—just the nastiness and the lies, it’s just incredible.
Thomas has faced heavy criticism from Democrats who have accused him of skirting disclosure rules, engaging in corruption, and maintaining close ties with wealthy Republicans.
However, no specific court cases have emerged to substantiate these allegations.
As a result, some activists have even called for his impeachment.
Public opinion polls suggest that trust in the Supreme Court has plummeted to new lows recently.
In addressing this criticism, Justice Thomas described Washington as an increasingly “hideous” place where people take pride in their rudeness and dishonesty.
He contrasted this with other areas of the country, which he characterized as more hospitable and less prone to causing harm through negative behavior.
Justice Thomas also expressed concern about the increasing inaccessibility of court rulings for the average person.
This growing sense of alienation may be exacerbating the disenfranchisement of regular citizens from the judicial process.
Despite these challenges, Justice Thomas expressed hope that this situation could change for the better in the future.
In his address, Justice Alito spoke at the commencement ceremony for the Franciscan University of Steubenville, a Catholic college located in Ohio.
He referenced pop culture by citing a graduation speech delivered by the character Thornton Melon (played by Rodney Dangerfield) in the movie “Back to School.” Justice Alito jokingly cited Mr.
Melon’s advice to graduates, which was not to go out into the world after graduating because “it’s rough out there” and instead move back in with their parents, let them pay all the bills, and “worry about it.
Addressing the challenges faced by recent graduates entering a harsh job market, Justice Alito acknowledged that things are indeed difficult in today’s world.
However, he emphasized that this is precisely why the contributions of these graduates will be so vital.
He also pointed out that support for freedom of speech is waning dangerously, particularly on college campuses which should serve as bastions of open dialogue and intellectual exchange.
Very few colleges live up to that ideal,” Justice Alito said.
This place is one of them … but things are not that way out there in the broader world.” He urged graduates to stand firm in their commitment to defending freedom of speech, even as it comes under increasing attack from various quarters.
Justice Alito authored the 2022 ruling that overturned Roe v.
Wade and handed the matter of determining abortion rights to individual states.