Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, the second Black justice to sit on the court after Thurgood Marshall, has spent years opposing affirmative action. When the high court struck down the policy last month, Justice Thomas was one of the most influential figures behind the ruling.Abbie VanSickle, who covers the Supreme Court for The Times, explains the impact affirmative action has had on Justice Thomas’s life and how he helped to bring about its demise.Guest: Abbie VanSickle, a Supreme Court correspondent for The New York Times.Background reading: A look at Justice Thomas’s path to the Supreme Court.Here’s what the justices have said in the past about affirmative action.For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Abbie VanSickle from The New York Times discusses the Supreme Court case on homeless encampments in the US. The debate on legality of public camping bans, implications for states, and rare bipartisan alliance for camp clearance are explored. The podcast delves into the legal battle in Grants Pass, Oregon, the need for clarification of homeless rights, and the potential impact of the Supreme Court's ruling on homelessness ordinances.

The clash of worldviews over defining life in Alabama, Christian agreement on rights from God, Justice Alito's warning on religious persecution, and Russia's mysterious dissident disappearance