In a rare televised public address on April 15, 2026, at the University of Texas at Austin Law School, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas delivered a pointed critique of progressivism, framing it as an existential threat to the core ideals of the American founding. The speech, delivered in commemoration of the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, highlighted what Thomas described as a growing disconnect between modern political philosophy and the nation’s foundational documents.
Thomas, the Court’s longest-serving conservative justice, argued that progressivism fundamentally undermines the Declaration’s assertion of natural rights. “Progressivism seeks to replace the basic premises of the Declaration of Independence and hence our form of government,” he stated. He elaborated that the ideology “holds that our rights and our dignities come not from God, but from government. It requires of the people a subservience and weakness incompatible with a Constitution premised on the transcendent origin of our rights.”
Tracing the roots of progressivism to early 20th-century thinkers like President Woodrow Wilson, Thomas called the philosophy “retrogressive,” suggesting it represents a step backward from the limited-government principles that defined America’s success. He noted that many Americans no longer fully embrace the idea that “all men are created equal” and are endowed with unalienable rights. Instead, he pointed to intellectuals and universities as contributors to a prevailing “spirit of cynicism, rejection, hostility and animus” toward the nation’s founding values.
Thomas warned that Washington has become dominated by officials who lack commitment to traditional morality, free enterprise, religious piety, or the original meaning of the Constitution. These figures, he said, often rebrand themselves as “institutionalists” or “pragmatists” to justify their shortcomings.
Yet the justice’s remarks were not solely critical. He issued a direct plea for greater civic engagement, encouraging Americans to reclaim ownership of their republic rather than ceding control to others. “I think if we don’t stand up and take ownership of our country, and take responsibility for it, we are slowly letting others control how we think and what we think,” Thomas said. He contrasted Americans’ deep knowledge of everyday technology with their limited understanding of government: “People know more about how to program their cell phone than they know about participating in their government.”
Thomas urged action over complaint: “If you think it’s losing confidence, then you get up and you participate. You don’t sit on the sidelines.” He called on citizens to summon the same courage as the signers of the Declaration, emphasizing personal sacrifice if necessary to secure liberty for future generations.
Delivered without reference to specific contemporary political figures or cases, Thomas’s address underscored a timeless message: self-government demands active participation. As the country approaches its semiquincentennial, his words serve as both a warning and a call to action—reminding Americans that the principles of 1776 require vigilant defense in every generation.
SOURCES:
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas blasts progressivism as threat to America
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas blasts progressivism as threat to America – ABC News
Clarence Thomas Issues New Warning About Progressivism: ‘Retrogressive’ – Newsweek
Clarence Thomas criticizes progressivism as a threat to America | Fox News
