WASHINGTON — Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has backed out of teaching a seminar at George Washington University Law School in the nation’s capital following student protests and the university’s statement of support for the role of conservative justice on campus.
“Judge Thomas has advised GW Law that he is not available to co-teach a constitutional law seminar this fall,” university spokesman Josh Grossman said in an emailed statement Wednesday.
Thomas, 74, has been teaching at the private school since 2011. He was to lead the seminar with Judge Gregory Maggs of the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces. Maggs once served as Supreme Court clerk for Thomas.
Thomas was part of the Conservative majority that in late June overturned the Roe v. Wade which guaranteed the constitutional right to abortion.
In the following days, thousands of students signed a petition asking the school to sever its relationship with Thomas. But university officials refused.
Maggs will continue to deliver the class, Grossman said.
Thomas’ withdrawal was first reported by GW Hatchet, the campus newspaper, which obtained an email from Maggs to students, telling them the “sad news” that Thomas would not be co-teaching the class.
Thomas did not respond to a request for comment to the court’s information desk.
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