Supreme Court of the United States

David Anthony Taylor, Petitioner v. United States. — Thomas, J., Dissenting

June 20, 2016195 L. Ed. 2d 456

Summary

Justice Thomas dissents, arguing that the Hobbs Act should require proof that a robbery itself affected interstate commerce and that Congress lacks authority under the Commerce Clause to criminalize robberies affecting only intrastate activity. He contends the majority’s interpretation improperly expands federal power and violates constitutional limits, and therefore Taylor’s convictions should be reversed.