James Clyburn Calls Support for Clarence Thomas a Mistake

U.S. Representative James Clyburn stated during a Sunday appearance on NBC's Meet the Press that his 1991 support for the appointment of Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court of the United States was a mistake. Clyburn argued that Justice Thomas has rebelled against his own background and experiences, evolving from an angry leftist into a very angry rightist who has abandoned civil rights precedents.

Clyburn specifically pointed to the overturning of federal abortion protections and the end of affirmative action in higher education as evidence of Thomas's shift toward extremist, hard-right positions. In response to the current composition of the court, Clyburn endorsed a proposal by former Vice President Kamala Harris to expand the bench from nine to 13 justices to ensure the court follows constitutional underpinnings.

Despite these criticisms and the proposal for expansion, Clyburn maintained that if Democrats retake the House in the November midterms, the immediate priority should be creating an accessible and affordable country for all citizens rather than focusing on court expansion or the impeachment of Donald Trump.