Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas becomes the second-longest serving justice in the Court’s history, according to multiple outlets. At age 77, Thomas is now in a position surpassed only by the Court’s longest-serving justice, after reaching a new seniority milestone on Thursday. Several reports note that this occurs as Thomas is widely seen as a central figure in the Court’s current direction, particularly in major decisions over the past decade.
PBS NewsHour and other sources describe Thomas’s role in shaping landmark rulings involving issues such as abortion, voting, and Second Amendment rights. The Independent adds that, because of his seniority, Thomas can be influential in the assignment of opinion-writing when he is part of a majority that does not include Chief Justice John Roberts.
Other coverage emphasizes the timing of the milestone and points to the political backdrop leading up to future elections. One outlet notes that Thomas overtakes the previous justice who was nominated by President Abraham Lincoln, reflecting the historical significance of the longevity benchmark.
