The University of Texas at Austin has invited U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas to give a closed-door talk at Hogg Memorial Auditorium on Wednesday, April 15, but the event is not being advertised to the public. The invitation was reportedly sent from the office of UT President Jim Davis, and as of March 31, university officials had not publicly posted any details about the appearance.
What the Invitation Says
The invitation, which a recipient confirmed as authentic, describes an April 15 closed-door presentation at Hogg Memorial Auditorium and notes that the venue has 1,007 seats, according to the Austin American-Statesman. The paper reports that the talk had not been publicized as of March 31 and that a university spokesperson, Mike Rosen, declined to confirm or deny the event.
Venue Details
Hogg Memorial Auditorium is a recently renovated campus venue used for lectures, performances, and university ceremonies. University Unions at UT Austin lists the auditorium and its role on campus. The building sits near the Tower at 2300 Whitis Avenue on the western edge of the Forty Acres.
Who Is Clarence Thomas?
Clarence Thomas has served on the Supreme Court since his 1991 appointment by President George H.W. Bush and is the court's longest-tenured justice, according to Oyez. He is widely described as an originalist and a conservative who has opposed abortion protections, certain LGBTQ+ rights expansions, and affirmative-action policies in key opinions and public remarks.
Security Context
Thomas's campus visits come amid heightened security concerns for members of the federal judiciary. SCOTUSblog noted that The New York Times reported the justice changed a planned in-person February appearance at a legal conference to a remote address after what was described as a security risk, and that threats against federal judges have risen in recent years.
What to Watch
The invitation indicates the session will be closed to the general public, and the university has not released a speaker schedule or ticketing information. With little official detail available, campus leaders and students will likely be watching for any university statements or scheduling updates as April 15 approaches.
