Justice Samuel Alito, 76, told the Wall Street Journal he will remain on the Supreme Court for at least the next term, rejecting pressure from some conservatives to retire so President Trump could appoint a successor. The next court term ends in June 2027, which would still allow a resignation during a Trump presidency, but control of the Senate after the midterms could alter confirmation prospects. Alito defended his independence, saying he decides cases according to his legal judgment, not political pressure.
Alito: "I'm Here for Another Term" — Rejects Calls to Retire, Will Stay on Supreme Court
Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito attends an event organized by the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See, in Rome, Italy, September 20, 2025.
WASHINGTON — Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito said he intends to remain on the bench for at least the coming term, pushing back against suggestions from some conservatives that he should retire to allow President Donald Trump to name a successor.
Alito's Statement
"Obviously I'm here for another term," Alito, 76, told the Wall Street Journal in an interview published Aug. 7. Asked about pressure from conservatives to step down while Trump is in office, Alito acknowledged the topic's unpleasantness as a reminder of mortality and used a striking metaphor: "It's like, what are those vultures doing up there? They are flying around. But it goes with life tenure."
Background And Political Stakes
Appointed by President George W. Bush in 2006, Alito has long been viewed as a potential retiree whose departure during a second Trump term could enable a fourth conservative appointment to the court. Such a move could further entrench the conservative 6-3 majority by replacing Alito with a younger justice who might serve for decades.
Timing And Senate Dynamics
The next Supreme Court term runs through the end of June 2027, meaning Alito could complete that session and still step down while Trump remains president. However, control of the Senate — which confirms Supreme Court nominees — could change after the November midterm elections. A Democratic majority in the Senate would make it considerably harder for any Trump nominee to be confirmed.
Where Alito Fits On The Court
Alito has been one of the court's most consistent conservative voices on cases involving the Trump administration, along with Justice Clarence Thomas, who at 78 is the only current justice older than Alito. Thomas, too, has been discussed as a possible retiree, though some observers think he may remain to reach the milestone of becoming the court's longest-serving justice.
Recent Court Decisions And Alito's Defense Of Independence
While the conservative majority has sided with the administration on several major rulings, the court did not rule uniformly in Trump's favor this year, rejecting arguments such as claims of emergency presidential power to impose tariffs and efforts to eliminate birthright citizenship. In the Wall Street Journal interview, Alito rejected suggestions that he simply echoes the administration.
"I vote in every case the way I think the case should be decided," he said. "If that means a high correlation with what Trump wants, fine. If it means zero correlation with what Trump wants, fine as well."
Correction Note
Speculation about Alito's retirement was intensified in June after NPR mistakenly published an online story claiming he was retiring; NPR subsequently retracted the report and apologized.
Reporter: Joey Garrison. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY.
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