Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas delivered a stirring speech ahead of America’s 250^th birthday and warned that “progressivism” is incompatible with the values that founded our great nation.

“Progressivism seeks to replace the basic premises of the Declaration of Independence and hence our form of government,” Thomas said in a speech at the University of Texas at Austin Law School on Wednesday.

He warned that a movement of “cynicism, rejection, hostility and animus” toward America is festering within the country.

“[Progressivism] holds that our rights and our dignities come not from God, but from government,” he continued. “It requires of the people a subservience and weakness incompatible with a constitution premised on the transcendent origin of our rights.”

Clarence Thomas’ remarks on progressivism, its foundations, history, and impact — from his appearance at UT Austin today, 4/15/26.

Entire unedited appearance attached below. https://t.co/xhiR4aBnM9 pic.twitter.com/WG6aT8uTVP

— Mark Valorian (@markvalorian) April 16, 2026

Thomas also touted America’s founding principles and urged the nation to find its roots to save itself.

“Give me liberty or give me death. That devotion has driven the great achievements and heroism of Americans in the 250 years since!”

“Think of the frontiersmen who settled the West. Think of the families who built their little towns on the prairies. Think of the women who raised their children to love God and country and sent them off to fight wars,” he continued.

“It is a devotion expressed in the final sentence of the Declaration, the willingness to do anything for our principles that has throughout American history been most indispensable.”

“It is that devotion that we are missing today and that we must find in our hearts if this nation is to endure.”

Thomas’ entire speech can be watched below, shared by X user Mark Valorian:

Clarence Thomas’ remarks on progressivism, its foundations, history, and impact — from his appearance at UT Austin today, 4/15/26.

Entire unedited appearance attached below. https://t.co/xhiR4aBnM9 pic.twitter.com/WG6aT8uTVP

— Mark Valorian (@markvalorian) April 16, 2026

Plenty more X users lauded Thomas’ unapologetic patriotism and rejection of “progressivism”:

This man is such an absolute legend

— Hal; Not One Step Back 2026 (@anticommunist44) April 17, 2026

Thank God men like Justice Thomas are still with us. His wisdom is profound. May his words be remembered for generations to come.

— David McGowan (@xceptnlAmerican) April 16, 2026

Justice Clarence Thomas is one of the most honorable and brilliant men to ever serve on the Supreme Court.

— Steadfast (@MForbes) April 16, 2026

100% correct. It is existtential. There are only a few strongholds holding back the globalist Marxist vision and the first is the American experience which the goal of open borders is to eliminate.

— Benjiman Gonzalez (@bgonz3000) April 16, 2026

He is not wrong. Prior to 1913 progrssive democrat president, there was no income tax. Once 40-50% of politicians learned they could work the tax code, social security, medicaid burden, politics changed.

— Nathanael Greene 7.0 🇺🇲🇺🇲 (@bustedagain2022) April 16, 2026

Clarence Thomas is easily the best current supreme court justice. pic.twitter.com/Ke5q3DPD5B

— Ravenous Ghoul (@RavenousGhoulNH) April 16, 2026

An American treasure.

Comment

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.