During oral arguments for Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization Wednesday, the case that could effectively overturn Roe v. Wade, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas asked a number of questions. Typically, Thomas stays silent.
During one exchange with U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar, Thomas pointed out a number of constitutional amendments that very clearly protect specific rights of Americans. He then asked Prelogar where abortion fits in.
CLARENCE THOMAS: "If we were talking about the 2nd Amendment, I know exactly what we’re talking about. If we're talking about the 4th Amendment, I know what we're talking about, because it’s written. It’s there. What specifically is the right here that we’re talking about?" pic.twitter.com/DUnKQAcMjp
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) December 1, 2021
Prelogar argued the right to abortion is "grounded in the liberty component of the 14th amendment," but also said it fits elsewhere.
"It promotes interests in autonomy, bodily integrity, liberty and equality. And I do think that it is specifically, the right to abortion here, the right of a woman to be able to control without the state forcing her to continue a pregnancy, whether to carry that baby to term," Prelogar said.
US SG Prelogar opens with the reliance argument. Weakest argument but she opens there. (Shakes head.) Justice Thomas asks her to state specifically what the right is. She replies “it’s grounded in the liberty language of 14th. Thomas: What specifically is right here? No answer.
— Hugh Hewitt (@hughhewitt) December 1, 2021