Clarence Thomas said during a speech at the University of Texas at Austin School of Law that progressivism is fundamentally at odds with the principles of the Declaration of Independence and cannot coexist with them indefinitely.
Speaking at an event marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration, Thomas argued that modern progressivism conflicts with the founding ideals of natural rights and limited government. He stated that while both have existed side by side, the relationship has been uneasy and ultimately unsustainable.
Thomas traced the rise of progressivism to the early 20th century, identifying Woodrow Wilson as a leading figure in advancing the movement. According to Thomas, Wilson and other progressives promoted the idea that government authority should expand beyond the constraints envisioned by the nation’s founders.
He argued that progressivism seeks to replace the Declaration’s core principles, asserting that it shifts the source of rights from being inherent and natural to being granted by the government.
During the speech, Thomas also quoted Calvin Coolidge, emphasizing the enduring nature of the Declaration’s assertions that all people are created equal and possess unalienable rights derived from their creator.
Thomas further criticized Wilson’s views on governance, claiming that the former president favored centralized systems of power and expressed distrust in democratic participation by the public.
In reflecting on the 20th century, Thomas argued that progressive ideas contributed to harmful outcomes, referencing regimes led by Joseph Stalin, Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, and Mao Zedong as examples of governments that opposed natural rights.
He also connected progressive-era thinking to Supreme Court decisions such as Plessy v. Ferguson and Buck v. Bell, arguing that those rulings reflected a departure from the principles outlined in the Declaration.
Toward the end of his remarks, Thomas encouraged individuals to demonstrate courage similar to that of the nation’s founders, urging people to stand firm in their beliefs, speak out when necessary, and engage in civic life.
