Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas brushed aside a series of questions from a reporter on Capitol Hill Monday, responding with humor and refusing to reveal why he was visiting the House side of the Capitol just one day before the Supreme Court was set to issue its final opinions of the term.
MS NOW congressional reporter Mychael Schnell shared video of the encounter on social media, writing that the Supreme Court justice had been spotted walking through the House side of the Capitol.
Schnell approached Thomas and immediately asked whether he had been meeting with anyone during his visit.
“Oh, nobody,” Thomas replied with a chuckle.
The reporter then asked whether he had met with the Speaker of the House.
“Oh, God, no!” Thomas responded, laughing at the suggestion.
When asked what brought him to the Capitol, Thomas gave a brief answer.
“Oh, just walking,” he said.
Schnell continued pressing the justice about whether he had any meetings scheduled or had spoken with anyone during his visit.
“No meetings in particular?” she asked.
Thomas smiled before responding, “None that I’m going to tell you about,” prompting another round of laughter from the justice as he continued walking.
The exchange then shifted to the Supreme Court itself, with Schnell noting that Tuesday would mark the court’s final day of decisions for the current term.
“Tomorrow’s going to be a big day at the court, huh? Final day of decisions,” she said.
“Oh, I guess so,” Thomas replied without elaborating.
The reporter then jokingly asked whether he would offer a preview of any upcoming rulings.
“You want to give us a sneak peek at some of the decisions?” Schnell asked.
“Nope!” Thomas answered.
Despite the clear refusal, Schnell continued asking about the purpose of Thomas’ visit to the Capitol, whether he had met with members of House Republican leadership, and whether he was discussing any particular matters while in the building.
She also asked if he had any comment regarding the Supreme Court’s decisions at the close of the term.
Rather than answer directly, Thomas complimented the reporter’s questioning.
“You have good questions!” he replied.
Schnell followed up by asking again whether he had any comment on the end of the Supreme Court term.
Once more, Thomas responded with the same line.
“You have good questions!”
The reporter made one final attempt to obtain a response.
“Do you want to answer any of them? Any comment at all?” she asked.
Thomas kept his answer short and definitive.
“No.”
Throughout the exchange, the Supreme Court’s longest-serving current justice appeared relaxed and in good spirits, repeatedly laughing as he declined to discuss the reason for his visit or provide any insight into the court’s upcoming decisions. While Schnell continued pressing for answers about possible meetings and the court’s work, Thomas maintained his lighthearted demeanor while offering little beyond a few humorous remarks before continuing on his way.
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