basically all institutions has been falling for a long time. IMO, the Supreme Court has become too important to way too many people and, thus there is a growing need to destroy its credibility if the court isn't seen as "on your side."

Because Congress continuing and growing lack of ability to legislate - more and more issues not only fall to the court, but more and more people hold up the court as the last resort to protect this or that favored thing. If congress and states could actually legislate and reach democratic reasonable compromises on things - the abortion rulings, for instance, would not be a big deal. Because congress cannot and too many states are out to play some kind of idiotic gotcha game - the court's decisions get way outsized importance.

Not justifying anything about the recent stuff on Thomas - the loss of his credibility may be appropriate - just commenting that an inappropriate increase in people's view of what the role the court should play leads to greater motivation to make the court seem illegitimate when you don't like its rulings.