Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas stated that certain law schools and colleges are off limits for him and other conservatives. Speaking with Peter Robinson at the Hoover Institute, Thomas mentioned he has never visited Stanford Law School.

Thomas expressed that conservative voices like his own find minimal welcome in numerous high education settings, including institutions such as Stanford Law School. He noted, “That’s the reality, that’s the world we’re in because certain places are just presumptively off limits. This is the way it works.” Although he has visited Yale Law School, Thomas emphasized that declaring otherwise would be misleading.

Criticism from conservative commentators continues regarding universities. They argue that these campuses have become inhospitable to right-wing viewpoints, often accusing liberal professors of indoctrinating students.

Thomas stressed the importance of platforms like YouTube in disseminating the ideas of thinkers such as economist Thomas Sowell, who greatly influenced his political beliefs. He warned that without such platforms, younger students might never encounter these ideas due to biases within academia.

A Stanford representative countered Thomas’ claims, asserting that the university would welcome him. “We would be honored to host Justice Thomas at Stanford Law School,” a spokesperson conveyed, highlighting that the institution regularly hosts members of the judiciary.

This spokesperson reaffirmed the school’s openness to discussing legal perspectives with figures like Thomas, as echoed by Stanford Constitutional Law Center director Professor Michael McConnell. Yet recent history has seen disruptions of conservative speakers by students.

In March 2023, Judge Stuart Kyle Duncan from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit experienced such an incident at Stanford. His talk “Covid, Guns, and Twitter” was disrupted due to student protests against his judicial history. The demonstration involved signs and bullhorns, which thwarted Duncan’s ability to complete his presentation. Diversity and Inclusion administrator Tirien Steinbach intervened, acknowledging Duncan’s free speech rights while also supporting student protests.

Following the incident, university officials apologized to Duncan. They enforced mandatory training for students and clarified that preventing a speaker from delivering a presentation contradicts Stanford’s policies on disruptions.

Previously, similar protests occurred when Kyle Hawkins, then-Texas Solicitor General, visited regarding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. A large-scale walkout ensued, led by a coalition of student organizations.

Although Thomas did not mention these specific occurrences during his Hoover Institution address, he alluded to the broader ideological chasm growing within high-profile academic venues. This division challenges constructive engagement between conservatives and these institutions.

Elaine Mallon covers national politics for Fox News Digital and Fox Business.