Supreme Court Orders Crucial Constitutional Review
- Justice Alito and Thomas at Trump’s inauguration, January 2025
- Clarence Thomas speaking at Notre Dame, September 2021
- Ceremony honoring unclaimed veterans, June 2023
- Group photo of Supreme Court Justices, June 2017
- American flag on George Washington Bridge, June 2023
- Chief Justice Roberts with Justice Thomas, December 2023
- Justices at Ginsburg’s private ceremony, September 2020
Justice Alito and Thomas at Trump’s inauguration, January 2025
The U.S. Supreme Court has decided to revisit Louisiana v. Callais, which has questioned the creation of a Black-majority congressional district, given that Louisiana’s map has had only one such district despite a 32.6% Black population. Justice Clarence Thomas previously dissented, calling for a review of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. The case has reignited debates over racial representation and voting rights.
Clarence Thomas speaking at Notre Dame, September 2021
Thomas wrote, "Congress requires this Court to exercise jurisdiction over constitutional challenges to congressional redistricting, and we accordingly have an obligation to resolve such challenges promptly."
Ceremony honoring unclaimed veterans, June 2023
Thomas added, "These are the only cases argued this Term in which our jurisdiction is mandatory."
Group photo of Supreme Court Justices, June 2017
Louisiana’s legislature has kept one majority-Black district after the last Census, then has added a second, which has now faced legal challenges. In his dissent, Thomas urged a quick resolution.
American flag on George Washington Bridge, June 2023
Thomas wrote, "As a matter of first principles, States have unfettered discretion over whether to provide a forum for §1983 claims in their courts. And, Alabama's exhaustion rule does not transgress the limitations that our precedents have recognized."
Chief Justice Roberts with Justice Thomas, December 2023
Thomas has pushed to revisit Section 2 for years, criticizing its conflict with the Constitution. ACLU legal director Cecillia Wang said their win keeps the new map in place until the Court rehears the case next term.
Justices at Ginsburg’s private ceremony, September 2020
Legal scholar Hans von Spakovsky argued Section 2 is often misused to force race-based redistricting that violates equal protection.
Sarah Bennett covers U.S. politics & news for content partner Modern Newsstand LLC.
