The Supreme Court’s firmest conservative is Justice Thomas. But not everyone has liked his tenure.
Now Clarence Thomas received a surprise from Donald Trump straight out of left field.
Trump Endorses Alito and Thomas Staying on Supreme Court
President Donald Trump this week voiced strong support for Supreme Court Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas remaining on the bench, dismissing speculation about their potential retirements amid Republican hopes for new conservative appointments before the 2026 midterms.
In an interview with Politico, Trump emphasized his preference for the justices to continue their service, which would allow him to nominate replacements while the GOP holds the Senate.
“I hope they stay,” Trump said, adding, “‘Cause I think they’re fantastic.” He reiterated: “Both of those men are fantastic.”
The comments come as some within the party advocate for Alito, 75, and Thomas, 77—the court’s two eldest conservatives—to step down now, securing the 6-3 majority for decades rather than risking vacancies during a potential Democratic resurgence post-midterms.
Trump, who appointed three justices in his first term, has previously warned of Democratic efforts to expand the court, calling such moves “a terrible thing for this country.”
Alito’s Apolitical Stance on Tenure
Alito, appointed by President George W. Bush in 2006, has shown no interest in retiring for strategic reasons, according to those close to him.
A source told The Wall Street Journal in November 2024, shortly after Trump’s reelection: “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,” the individual added.
Recent hiring patterns further suggest continuity: Alito has secured at least one law clerk for the October 2025 term, with more expected, signaling plans to remain at least through 2026.
Thomas, nominated by President George H.W. Bush in 1991 and the court’s longest-serving member, has also given no indication of imminent departure. As recently as 2019, he stated outright, “I’m not retiring,” and dismissed long-term speculation. He, too, has hired a full slate of clerks for the coming terms, pointing to ongoing commitment.
Echoes of Past Controversies and Broader Court Dynamics
The current buzz recalls earlier pressures on the court. In 2022, House Democrats called for Thomas to recuse himself—or even face impeachment—from January 6-related cases after revelations that his wife, Ginni Thomas, texted White House chief of staff Mark Meadows urging efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. Thomas declined to step aside.
For comparison, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, 71 and appointed by President Barack Obama in 2009, faces parallel liberal entreaties to retire before Trump’s term ends, though reports indicate she intends to stay.
Historical precedents, like the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s decision to remain despite health concerns, underscore how justices often prioritize personal judgment over partisan timing—decisions that can dramatically shift the court’s ideological balance for generations.
