Alito Says He Will Stay on Supreme Court Through Current Term
The 76-year-old justice confirmed his intention to remain despite Democrats taking Senate control in January.
By Harper Foster ·
Justice Samuel Alito confirmed on Thursday that he intends to serve on the Supreme Court through the end of the current term. This decision comes after midterm elections shifted power in Washington toward the Democratic Party. Several media reports cited Alito as the source of the update.
Alito is 76 years old. He is the second-oldest member of the court, behind Justice Clarence Thomas, who is 78. During an interview with CBS News in October, Alito said he expects to reconsider retirement annually. He also told Bloomberg in the same month that he plans to stick around through this term.
The timing of Alito’s announcement follows substantial losses for the Republican Party in recent elections. Some Republicans urged the justice to retire while their party still controlled the Senate. They wanted to allow President Donald Trump to appoint a replacement before Democrats took over the chamber.
Democrats will be in firm control of the Senate when the new congressional term begins in January. This shift makes it difficult for President Trump to fill a potential vacancy with a Republican nominee after this year. Alito’s decision keeps the seat occupied through the current term despite the change in legislative power.
