Not 'the gospel.' Ahead of Supreme Court term, Clarence Thomas weighs in on precedent [View all]

Source: USA Today

Updated Sept. 27, 2025, 10:50 a.m. ET


WASHINGTON – As the Supreme Court is about to revisit some major decisions, one of the nine justices - and a key member of the conservative majority - has offered his view that there’s nothing sacred about precedent.

"At some point we need to think about what we're doing with stare decisis,” Justice Clarence Thomas said about the legal term that protects stability in the law. "And it's not some sort of talismanic deal where you can just say 'stare decisis' and not think, turn off the brain.”

Thomas offered that view in a rare public appearance at Catholic University's Columbus School of Law on Sept. 25. He was asked about the factors he considers when deciding whether a past decision was wrong and did not address any pending cases.

In the term that begins next month, the court will revisit a nearly century-old ruling protecting the heads of independent agencies that President Donald Trump has repeatedly challenged as he’s sought greater control over the government.

Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/09/27/supreme-court-justice-clarence-thomas-precedent-overturn/86390719007/