In a rare public appearance, Supreme Court Associate Justice Clarence Thomas defended the high court, warned against efforts “destroying our institutions,” and criticized the media for depicting the justices as politicians. Thomas gave a speech Thursday at the University of Notre Dame, the alma mater of the newest Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett. “They think that we make policy,” Thomas responded to a question about misconceptions to the court, criticizing the media. “I think the media makes it sound as though you are just always going right to your personal preference. So if they think you are antiabortion or something personally, they think that’s the way you always will come out. They think you’re for this or for that. They think you become like a politician. “That’s a problem. You’re going to jeopardize any faith in the legal institutions,” Thomas added. “The media and the interest groups further that.” The high …