Clarence Thomas 'said the quiet part out loud': Harris issues warning about future Supreme Court cases
Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday issued a warning that the United States Supreme Court's overturning of multiple legal precedents is "far from over," hours after the Court sided with a high school football coach who claimed that his religious freedom was violated when was fired after he led players in prayer on the field.
Speaking with CNN's Dana Bash, Harris cited Associate Justice Clarence Thomas's concurring opinion in last week's reversal of Roe v. Wade (federally-protected abortion rights) that "the Court should reconsider other cases" – Griswold v. Connecticut (granting access to birth control), Lawrence v. Texas (striking down anti-sodomy laws), and Obergefell v. Hodges (marriage equality) – which he believes have no valid constitutional basis.
The vice president foresees a dark path ahead for American civil rights.
"I definitely believe this is not over. I do. I think he just said the quiet part out loud," Harris said of Thomas.
"And I think that is why we must all really understand the significance of what just happened," Harris added. "This is profound, and the way that this decision has come down has been so driven, I think, by the politics of the issue versus what should be the values that we place on freedom and liberty in our country."
The Vice President said she believes "the right to privacy," which served as the foundation for the landmark ruling in Roe, is in grave peril.
In an interview with NPR, Harris expanded on her comments.
"We have to stand together in this fight, right — those of us who understand what's at stake," told NPR White House correspondent Asma Khalid.
"It is profound, in terms of where [the decision] takes us back. We have a 23-year-old daughter who is going to know fewer rights than my 80-something-year-old mother-in law," Harris said.
"I think we all felt, and rightly, a huge blow when this decision came down," Harris said. "That's real. So I don't deny anybody how they are feeling right now. I know how I'm feeling right now."
Watch below via The Recount or at this link.
\u201cVice President Kamala Harris issues a warning to Americans following Justice Clarence Thomas's call for SCOTUS to re-examine cases protecting contraceptives, same-sex relationships, and same-sex marriages:\n\n\u201cThis is not over ... I think he just said the quiet part out loud.\u201d\u201d— The Recount (@The Recount) 1656362833
- How Clarence Thomas' concurring opinion suggests other rights ... ›
- Comments from Clarence Thomas suggest 'antagonism' with Chief ... ›
- With Roe overturned, Clarence Thomas is now preparing for a full ... ›
- Former Obama speechwriter explains why most Americans now hold the High Court in such low regard - Alternet.org ›
- 'Tone deaf' GOP strategist ripped for claiming abortion 'isn’t an issue' for female voters - Alternet.org ›