Associate JusticeSince 1991
Clarence Thomas
The Court’s most committed originalist and its longest-serving member — for decades a lone voice in concurrence, now the intellectual anchor of the majority on guns, race, and administrative power.
Nominated BushConfirmed 52–48 · Oct 15, 1991Approach Originalism
85%
In the majority
of 41 decided cases, this term
5
Majority opinions
authored this term
6
Dissents
this term
81%
In the majority
across 201 decisions, OT2021–OT2025
’91
On the bench since
35 years
This term · voting record
How Thomas has voted.
CaseAligned withRoleSide
Trump v. Slaughter
Executive power
6–3 majority
Joined
MAJORITY
Watson v. RNC
Elections
4 dissenters
Dissent
DISSENT
Louisiana v. Callais
Elections
6–3 majority
Joined
MAJORITY
Learning Resources v. Trump
Executive power
2 dissenters
Dissent
DISSENT
United States v. Hemani
2nd Amendment
6–3 majority
Authored
MAJORITY
Trump v. Barbara
Executive power
7–2 strike (est.)
Predicted
DISSENT
Trump v. Cook
Executive power
5–4 Cook stays (est.)
Predicted
MAJORITY
West Virginia v. B.P.J.
Civil rights
6–3 uphold (est.)
Predicted
MAJORITY
NRSC v. FEC
1st Amendment
6–3 strike (est.)
Predicted
MAJORITY
Mullin v. Al Otro Lado
Immigration
6–3 for gov’t (est.)
Predicted
MAJORITY
PENDING CASES SHOW PREDICTED VOTES (EST. FROM ARGUMENT + IDEAL POINT) · DECIDED CASES SHOW THE RECORDED VOTE.
Majority opinions · OT2021–OT2025
The opinions Thomas wrote for the Court.
6–3
OT2025
Hencely v. Fluor Corporation
Decided Apr 22, 2026
8–0
OT2025
Chevron USA Inc. v. Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana
Decided Apr 17, 2026
9–0
OT2025
Cox Communications, Inc. v. Sony Music Entertainment
Decided Mar 25, 2026
5–4
OT2025
United States Postal Service v. Konan
Decided Feb 24, 2026
6–3
OT2023
Diaz v. United States
Decided Jun 20, 2024
6–3
OT2023
Garland v. Cargill
Decided Jun 14, 2024
9–0
OT2023
Vidal v. Elster
Decided Jun 13, 2024
9–0
OT2023
Starbucks Corporation v. McKinney
Decided Jun 13, 2024
SHOWING THE 8 MOST RECENT OF 22 MAJORITY OPINIONS · SOURCE: OYEZ
Public favorability
A partisan split — and lots of “don’t know.”
Republicans64 / 12
Independents20 / 47
Democrats13 / 65
27% OF ALL ADULTS HAVE NO OPINION · YOUGOV / THE ECONOMIST, MAY 2026 →
All readings
FAV / UNFAV / NET · Marquette polls all adults with a “haven’t heard enough” option; YouGov polls adult citizens — levels aren’t comparable across houses, the net trend is.
Favorability over time
Drifting with the Court’s numbers.
Net favorability over time
Sep 2019May 2026
Born
Jun 23, 1948 · Pin Point, Georgia
Education
Yale Law
Seat
Associate Justice (succeeded Thurgood Marshall)
Sworn in
Oct 23, 1991
Prior role
Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit (1990–1991)
Related coverage
SCOTUSblog · 2h
The four opinions still outstanding as the term hits its final day.
NYT · 5h
Inside the birthright-citizenship argument: where each justice tipped their hand.
Reuters · 1d
Slaughter ruling hands the President at-will control of independent agencies.
AP · 1d
After Callais, three Southern states move to redraw congressional maps.
Associate Justice · since 1991
Clarence Thomas
The Court’s most committed originalist and its longest-serving member — for decades a lone voice in concurrence, now the intellectual anchor of the majority on guns, race, and administrative power.
Solid conservativeideal pt +3.4
Net favorability
−9
32% fav · 41% unfav
85%
In majority
5
Maj. opinions
6
Dissents
This term · voting record
Trump v. Slaughter
JOINED · 6–3 majority
Watson v. RNC
DISSENT · 4 dissenters
Louisiana v. Callais
JOINED · 6–3 majority
Learning Resources v. Trump
DISSENT · 2 dissenters
United States v. Hemani
AUTHORED · 6–3 majority
Trump v. Barbara
PREDICTED · 7–2 strike (est.)
Trump v. Cook
PREDICTED · 5–4 Cook stays (est.)
West Virginia v. B.P.J.
PREDICTED · 6–3 uphold (est.)
NRSC v. FEC
PREDICTED · 6–3 strike (est.)
Mullin v. Al Otro Lado
PREDICTED · 6–3 for gov’t (est.)
Votes with
Alito
88%
Barrett
85%
Gorsuch
82%
Roberts
80%
Kavanaugh
79%
Kagan
61%
Jackson
59%
Sotomayor
58%
Majority opinions · OT2021–OT2025
6–3Hencely v. Fluor CorporationOT2025
8–0Chevron USA Inc. v. Plaquemines Parish, LouisianaOT2025
9–0Cox Communications, Inc. v. Sony Music EntertainmentOT2025
5–4United States Postal Service v. KonanOT2025
6–3Diaz v. United StatesOT2023
6–3Garland v. CargillOT2023
Favorability, by party
Republicans64 / 12
Independents20 / 47
Democrats13 / 65
27% OF ALL ADULTS HAVE NO OPINION · YOUGOV / THE ECONOMIST, MAY 2026
What the money says
SNAPSHOT JUL 1, 2026 · ¢ = PRICE OF YES
Related coverage
SCOTUSblog · 2h
The four opinions still outstanding as the term hits its final day.
NYT · 5h
Inside the birthright-citizenship argument: where each justice tipped their hand.
Reuters · 1d
Slaughter ruling hands the President at-will control of independent agencies.
AP · 1d
After Callais, three Southern states move to redraw congressional maps.