President Donald Trump said he hopes U.S. Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito remain on the bench, speaking about the Court in a new interview on Monday.
In a conversation with Politico’s Dasha Burns, the reporter noted that Thomas is 77 and Alito is 75, then asked Trump: “Do you want one more [justice] on there?”
Trump replied, “Well, I hope they stay, ’cause I think they’re fantastic, OK? Both of those men are fantastic.”
None of the justices has publicly indicated any plans to step down.
Why It Matters
The Supreme Court currently has a 6–3 conservative majority, with three of the justices — Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett — appointed by Trump during his first term in office. That lineup has delivered key victories for conservative policy goals, including decisions backing the Trump administration on immigration enforcement and reductions in the scope or funding of some federal agencies.
What To Know
The Wall Street Journal, citing people close to Alito, reported last year that he had no intention of retiring, despite speculation from some activists that he might step aside to allow Trump to choose a younger conservative successor.
Reuters also reported last year that Thomas had not announced any plans to retire, even as rumors about his potential departure circulated on social media.
Thomas joined the Supreme Court in 1991 after being nominated by President George H. W. Bush and is now the Court’s longest-serving current justice.
Alito was confirmed to the Court in 2006 after being nominated by President George W. Bush.
Historically, several justices have remained on the Court well into their later years. Former Justices Stephen Breyer and Anthony Kennedy both retired in their 80s, and former Justice John Paul Stevens stayed on the bench until age 90.
What People Are Saying
Trump, in his interview with Politico on Monday, also criticized Democratic proposals to expand the Court:
“I will say this, the Democrats want to pack the court. They want to have 21 justices. That would be a…a terrible thing for this country.”
A person close to Justice Alito told The Wall Street Journal last year that political calculations are not driving his thinking about the job:
“Despite what some people may think, this is a man who has never thought about this job from a political perspective. The idea that he’s going to retire for political considerations is not consistent with who he is.”
What Happens Next
The Supreme Court’s current term began on October 6 (the first Monday in October) and is scheduled to continue through late June or early July, when the justices typically issue their final rulings before recess.
