Justice Clarence Thomas expressed worry over declining respect for institutions as he faces ethics concerns about his wife's political activism and GOP ties

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas expressed concern about the public's regard for institutions as the judge himself faces ethical questions about his wife's actions in politics.

Thomas spoke at the 11th Circuit Judicial Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, days after the leak of a draft opinion that indicated the Supreme Court could overturn Wade.

Society is becoming addicted to wanting particular outcomes and not living with the outcomes we don't like, according to Thomas.

We can't be an institution that will give you just the outcomes you want. The events from earlier this week are a symptom of that, Thomas continued, apparently referring to the leak but not explicitly mentioning it.

The Washington Post reported that Thomas was worried that young people don't respect the law.

The wife of Thomas has been accused of trying to subvert the law and exert influence over the White House.

In the weeks between the election and the January 6 insurrection, Ginni Thomas sent multiple text messages to MarkMeadows, the former President Donald Trump's chief of staff, urging them to challenge the election results. The Washington Post and CBS News obtained the texts.

In a text sent on November 6, 2020, Ginni Thomas told the man not to concede.

After the election had been called for President Joe Biden, Ginni Thomas sent him a text telling him to help Trump stand firm. Biden and the Left are attempting the greatest Heist of our History.

Some of the texts included claims about voter fraud and cheered on efforts by Trump allies to challenge the results in court.

Some of those cases were ruled on by her husband.

The text messages were revealed months after Clarence Thomas voted to block the release of January 6 records, records that included the communications of his wife.

Her ties to GOP leaders and her political activism in general has sparked ethics concerns and prompted some calls for the Supreme Court to adopt a code of conduct.

The couple has their own careers and ideas, but Clarence doesn't discuss his work with me, and I don't involve him in it.

According to polling, Americans have lost their respect for institutions, including the Supreme Court.

The share of adults who held favorable views of the court fell from 69 percent in August to 54 percent in January.

A representative for the Supreme Court did not reply immediately.