Is Clarence Thomas actually being around anything but a ceremonial performance? I know he has voted unlike what would be predicted before, but it’s pretty rare

Is Clarence Thomas actually being around anything but a ceremonial performance? I know he has voted unlike what would be predicted before, but it’s pretty rare I think. I thought usually the surprise is how conservative, arrogant, and/or ideologically driven [vs consistency or actual principles] he is. Which seems to mean more conservative and extreme takes than expected vs any surprise votes that don’t swing that way. Like his takes on the power a former president he loves can or should have. Including vs the current president.