(CNN) On the verge of a new term in which the Supreme Court will wade back into the culture wars, Justice Clarence Thomas reflected Thursday on the role of the judiciary and warned against judges weighing in on controversial issues that he said are better left to other areas of government. The problem, the justice said, has bled into the nomination and confirmation process. "I think that is problematic and hence the craziness during my confirmation was one of the results of that," Thomas said, adding that "it was absolutely about abortion -- a matter I had not thought deeply about at the time." Thomas' remarks come as the newly solidified conservative majority will consider a direct challenge to Roe v. Wade in the term that begins in October as well as a major Second Amendment case and possibly a dispute centering on affirmative action. In addition, the court earlier this month sparked outrage among supporters of abortion rights when a 5-4 majority allowed a controversial six-week abortion ban in Texas to take effect pending appeal.

Source: CNN September 17, 2021 03:11 UTC