Justice Clarence Thomas One-on-One (Part 2)

In Part 2 of Sen. Ted Cruz’s exclusive conversation with Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, Justice Thomas reflects on his more than three decades on the nation’s highest court—and the constitutional principles that guide his work. Justice Thomas discusses his intellectual journey, including the influence of Thomas Sowell; the personal and political attacks he faced after being labeled a “Black conservative”; and why he believes no one should be told what to think. He shares lessons from his grandfather, the meaning of equality, and why the Declaration of Independence must remain central to how Americans understand liberty and limited government. Sen. Cruz and Justice Thomas also examine some of the most consequential questions in constitutional law: when the Supreme Court should reconsider precedent, why the Constitution belongs to ordinary Americans—not merely legal experts—the difference between “public use” and “public purpose” in eminent-domain cases such as Kelo, and the connection between property rights and liberty. Justice Thomas explains why Reconstruction and the 14th Amendment represent a “Second Founding,” recounting the history of freedmen’s right to defend themselves and the importance of understanding the historical context behind the Constitution’s protections. He also offers a candid, humorous story about Justice Stephen Breyer, reflects on his relationships with colleagues across the Court, and addresses the increasingly hostile environment surrounding the judiciary. Watch Part 2 for a rare and wide-ranging conversation about the Supreme Court, the Declaration, natural rights, precedent, property, self-defense, and the enduring duty to stand up for what is right. This conversation is the perfect companion to Ted Cruz’s brand-new book, Going Further: The Incomparable Clarence Thomas, available now at goingfurther.com. 01:28 Thomas Sowell and an Intellectual Journey 02:20 The Only Job Offer—and the Best Job He Ever Had 06:12 From Left-Wing Radical to Principled Conservative 08:10 The “Black Conservative” Label and Media Attacks 09:14 “Don’t You Know Your Place?” 10:53 Affirmative Action, Stigma, and the Yale Degree 11:46 Lessons From His Grandfather and America’s Promise 13:32 Equality, the Declaration, and Principles Worth Defending 17:00 Becoming a Supreme Court Justice 18:50 Thomas’s First Day on the Court 22:44 Why Justice Thomas Reconsiders Precedent 23:48 “If It Don’t Make No Damn Sense…” 25:28 Buc-ee’s, Old Buses, and Ordinary Americans 27:18 The Constitution Belongs to the People 28:37 Why the Declaration of Independence Matters 30:58 The “Crooked First Row” of Bad Precedent 32:17 Kelo, Eminent Domain, and Private Property 37:14 Liberty and Property: “Traveling Companions” 38:30 Reconstruction, the 14th Amendment, and Self-Defense 43:16 Reading History to Understand the Constitution 44:20 Justice Breyer, a Machete, and “Cleaning My Guns” 46:07 Life and Friendship on the Supreme Court 48:08 Standing Up for What’s Right 49:51 Closing Thoughts and Ted Cruz’s BookStay in touch with Verdict on social media: Facebook:   / verdictwithtedcruz   Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/030JakQ... iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-v...