Document ID: ./input/supremecourt_opinions/opinions/20pdf/19-1434_ancf.pdf
Page Number: 72

Cite as:  594 U. S. ____ (2021) 

25 

THOMAS, J., dissenting 

might be too easy to subvert.  A tricky Congress could allow 
the Executive to sneak a powerful, Cabinet-level-like officer 
past the Senate by merely giving him a low rank.  Maybe.
But  this  seems  like  an  odd  case  to  address  that  concern. 
And, even if this suit did raise the issue, the Court should 
be hesitant to enforce its view of the Constitution’s spirit at
the cost of its text. 

* 

* 

* 
The Court today draws a new line dividing inferior offic-
ers from principal ones.  The fact that this line places ad-
ministrative patent judges on the side of Ambassadors, Su-
preme Court Justices, and department heads suggests that
something is not quite right.  At some point, we should take
stock of our precedent to see if it aligns with the Appoint-
ments  Clause’s  original  meaning.  But,  for  now,  we  must 
apply the test we have.  And, under that test, administra-
tive patent judges are both formally and functionally infe-
rior to the Director and to the Secretary.  I respectfully dis-
sent.