Clarence Thomas on Government Reform
Limited role for courts; narrow Constitional interpretation
The nine court members can be divided into three general alliances, but all of the justices have crossed ideological lines. The three conservative justices, including Thomas, and two of the swing justices usually support states’ rights.
Thomas, sees limited role for the court; reads constitutional guarantees narrowly.
Source: Reuters article in Boston Globe, p. A45
Dec 1, 2000
Judges should not impose their will, but just interpret law
SENATOR THURMOND: Would you please describe your views on judicial activism? JUDGE THOMAS: The role of a judge is a limited one. It is to interpret the intent of Congress, the legislation of Congress, to apply that in specific cases, and to interpret
the Constitution, where called upon, but at no point to impose his or her will or his or her opinion in that process, but, rather, to go to the traditional tools of constitutional interpretation or adjudication, as well as to statutory construction.
Source: Senate Confirmation Hearings
Sep 10, 1991