Clarence Thomas is the only current justice who was on the bench when the Supreme Court reaffirmed its previous precedent legalizing abortion. Thomas dissented in 1992, his first year on the court. Now he’s a leading member among the court’s conservative bloc that could uphold the constitutionality of Mississippi’s 15-week abortion ban and, by extension, overturn Roe v. Wade.

Thomas on Wednesday asked a series of sharp questions as the Supreme Court considered Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. That’s his prerogative as the most senior Supreme Court justice, having been nominated in 1991 by President George H.W. Bush and confirmed by the Senate.