Supreme Court Justice Thomas and the Founding Ideals of America

Justice Clarence Thomas Says Progressive Ideology is Threatening the Founding Ideals of America
He extolls everyone to rediscover the founding principles that made the nation great.
By Catholics for Catholics
As the U.S. is poised to celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary, America’s values are under threat and citizens need to vigorously defend the founding document’s principles of equality, freedom and liberty with conviction and courage against those motivated by greed, power or anti-American ideals, said Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.
Thomas said the values hallowed in the Declaration of Independence have “fallen out of favor” among Americans, with “progressivism” looking to supersede the document’s assertions and the United States’ form of government, according to a story by Newsmax.
Speaking at the University of Texas Austin School of Law, Thomas gave a critique Wednesday of modern political trends, cautioning that the nation’s founding principles are under pressure from ideological shifts in academia and government.
“Progressivism seeks to replace the basic premises of the Declaration of Independence and hence our form of government,” Thomas said, contending that the movement shuns the idea that rights come from God and instead places power in government institutions.
As the Supreme Court’s longest-serving conservative justice, Thomas depicted a mounting “cynicism, rejection, hostility, and animus” toward the nation’s founding ideals.
Among the chief ideological culprits is the fact that many Americans no longer hold the belief that all people are created equal and endowed with unalienable rights.
In addition, Thomas stressed that the Constitution was conceived to limit government power and guard individual liberties.
In times where the country is deeply politically divided, Thomas called on Americans to revive the valor and fervor of the nation’s founders.
“In my view, we must find in ourselves that same level of courage that the signers of the Declaration have so that we can do for our future what they did for theirs,” he said.
Link here <cforc.com/2026/04/justice-clarence-thomas-says-progressive-ideology -is-threatening-the-founding-ideals-of-america/> .

The Virtue of Patriotism

The Meaning of Patriotism <zeale.co/video/the-meaning-of-patriotism> (link to video)
“.Patriotism is not a mere sentiment or political allegiance it is a moral virtue rooted in piety by which we render to honor to God and to the earthly bonds to which His Providence has granted to us Life and formed our identity.
To our parents, families and native lands, God has bestowed immeasurable blessings: the gift of life, the experience of love and the shaping of moral character.
Patriotism recognizes these gifts with gratitude and accepts the duties that arise from them. It belongs to justice for it gives what is due to our homeland and to charity for it seeks our nation’s true good according to the moral law written by God upon the human heart.
Rightly understood, patriotism ennobles the heart; It does not excuse wrongdoing but impels us to work for the conversion of society, the defense of the innocent, and the protection of human life from conception to natural death. It strengthens family life, civic virtue and fidelity to truth.
For the Christian, patriotism becomes a path of holiness, uniting earthly duty to heavenly hope. When lived in the light of Christ it helps prepare society to receive His reign in which justice flourishes, peace endures and the gospel shapes the destiny of nations.” Cardinal Burke

America’s Startup is a national collegiate startup competition – What’s your winning idea?

What’s your winning idea?
America’s greatest innovations often begin as bold ideas – dreamed up in classrooms, garages, labs, and communities across the country. America’s Startup is designed to spotlight, support, and celebrate those ideas at their earliest stages.
As a signature program within America Innovates, America’s Startup provides a national platform for student founders, young entrepreneurs, and early-stage innovators whose ideas could help shape the next 250 years of American ingenuity, creativity, and progress.
America’s Startup is a national collegiate startup competition created to spotlight early-stage business ideas with the potential to drive America’s future economic, technological, and societal progress.
Participants submit a proposal and pitch video outlining their business idea, with selected teams advancing through a multi-stage review process that includes a live pitch experience.
Submit your idea here. <america250.org/americas-startup/?utm_campaign=a250_26_email&utm_sou rce=mailchimp&utm_medium=email&utm_content=americas_start_up_r2>

Celebrate Faith and Country

In a new episode of his “Virtue of Patriotism” series, Cardinal Raymond Burke said love of one’s homeland is a response to God’s providence, formed through family, culture, and nation. The episode, released ahead of America’s 250th anniversary, also warns against ideologies that detach people from their roots. It closes with a prayer for the nation. Join the Zeale for America 250 Prayer Movement. Register here <lp.catholicvote.org/america250> .

“Freedom 250” with the Marine Corps West Coast Composite Band

FREE COMMUNITY CONCERT
Experience an unforgettable evening of music with the Marine Corps West Coast Composite Band as they present “Freedom 250” on Wednesday, April 1! Get tickets here: artcenter.org/event/marinecompositeband_freedom250/

This FREE community concert will showcase an impressive performance in a beautiful venue, offering guests the opportunity to enjoy a special night of live music and patriotic spirit.
Doors open at 6:00 pm and the concert begins at 7:00 pm. Admission and parking are free, making this a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a memorable evening with family and friends.

Seating is limited, so be sure to reserve your spot in advance!

Get tickets here: artcenter.org/event/marinecompositeband_freedom250/

Freedom Plane to bring historic founding documents to CA: Los Angeles, CA: University of Southern California Fisher Museum of Art : Friday, April 17 – Sunday, May 3

“Some of the United States’ most important historical documents began a first-of-its-kind journey Monday as part of the country’s 250th anniversary commemoration.
Typically housed in highly controlled vaults under the watch of preservation experts at the National Archives, documents such as the 1783 Treaty of Paris that formally ended the Revolutionary War and the 1774 Articles of Association that urged colonists to boycott British goods are rarely moved.
But those documents, signed by George Washington, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and other American revolutionary leaders, will be making their way across the country and put on display for free at local museums.
“It’s tangible history, and tangible history inspires,” said Jim Byron, senior adviser to the acting archivist of the United States. “These documents have not traveled, and they’ve certainly not traveled collectively, ever. They are here in vaults.”
The Boeing 737 “Freedom Plane” transporting the documents is just one of many events and activities planned across the country to mark America’s upcoming 250th anniversary celebrating the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The records include a rare original engraving of the Declaration of Independence printed in 1823 from a copperplate of the original; the Oaths of Allegiance signed in 1778 by George Washington, Alexander Hamilton and other officers of the Continental Army; and a rare draft copy of the U.S. Constitution that includes handwritten notes by the delegates.” NSJ article <nsjonline.com/article/2026/03/major-historical-documents-start-jour ney-across-us-america-250/>
Los Angeles, CA: <d2tbk404.na1.hubspotlinks.com/Ctc/2N+113/d2tbK404/VX9-pL6TR-HDW3Px3 Xb7gx_68W3wqskQ5Jkn5XN74Pqt03m2nnW69sMD-6lZ3lXW4nszBd6G-bHSN3G0PnF5c4VQW45mc cl8cddJrW8DB-yr6dSwX2W4XT9G97P6mpyW79dCVw54J3BrW1VYvPH40HSljW8Pvd9N2jhlHWVz5 QqC23Sf2tW1Dgm5d3fJKd8V3KBvq2kFRZTW90Q_p88nW_18VBpgpw22s67kW1HcLQd7ygVTHW8sL hLT1yVDqTVBz1Ch7Scd9ZVB3d445gJtypW5Mlc3X30fnNqW6-w0718-GFDwN2RzB_6CSr5Jf4pG_ Wn04> University of Southern California Fisher Museum of Art : Friday, April 17 – Sunday, May 3

America Reads The Bible April 18-25, 2026 in Washington, D.C.

Join a historic, week-long, continuous Bible-reading as leaders from every sphere speak the Scriptures aloud from beginning to end – reigniting America’s spiritual foundation as we celebrate 250 years of freedom. Visit: www.americareadsthebible.com/
Just as Ezra read the Word aloud to the people of Israel (Nehemiah 8:1-3), awakening revival and repentance, inspiring them to rebuild the temple, and working with Nehemiah to mobilize the people to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls, America Reads the Bible is a sacred opportunity to call our nation back to its spiritual foundations. Through a public, continuous reading of the entire Bible in our nation’s capital by our national leaders from all spheres of influence, we believe God can spark revival in individual hearts and inspire Americans to carry the Word forward in their lives and communities into the next 250 years of our national story.

Student Art Contest!

Submission Categories:
* Upper Elementary School Students (Grades 3-5)
* Middle School Students (Grades 6-8)
* High School Students (Grades 9-12)

What does America mean to you?

America’s Field Trip Contest Application
What does America mean to you?

You may answer this question with original artwork or a written response.

Submissions will be accepted until Monday, March 30, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. PT/8:00 p.m. ET.

Submission Guidelines
* Elementary School (3rd to 5th Grade): Students may submit artwork, including physical art through a high-res photo, or a short written response (up to 100 words). * Middle School (6th to 8th Grade): Students may submit artwork, including physical art through a high-res photo, or a short written response (up to 250 words). * High School (9th to 12th Grade): Students may submit artwork, including physical art through a high-res photo, or a short written response (up to 500 words).

Go to America 250’s website: america250.org/fieldtrip/