Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito says he has no plans to retire anytime soon, even if Democrats take control of the U.S. Senate in the November midterm elections.
Alito, 76, told Bloomberg Law that he intends to remain on the court through the current term.
“I intend to stick around through this term,” Alito said. “I made that decision many months ago.”
His comments push back on growing speculation that he could retire while Republicans still control the Senate, allowing President Donald Trump to nominate a successor before a possible shift in power.
Alito was appointed to the Supreme Court by President George W. Bush.
Speculation has also surrounded fellow conservative-leaning Justice Clarence Thomas, 78.
Neither justice has publicly shown signs that they are preparing to step down.
Alito did acknowledge that retirement has crossed his mind.
He said he has considered leaving the court but added that he does not “feel mentally or physically decrepit.”
Alito also said he plans to reconsider the question next year.
That means his long-term future on the court remains open, even though he has ruled out an immediate departure.
Rumors about Alito’s retirement intensified earlier this year after National Public Radio mistakenly reported in June that he was stepping down.
That report was later retracted.
The reporter involved said the mistake came after mishearing information while the Supreme Court was issuing its final opinions of the term.
The retirement speculation has taken on added political significance because control of the Senate could determine whether Trump is able to confirm another Supreme Court justice.
Several Democratic Senate candidates have already made the possibility of another vacancy part of their campaigns.
Ohio Democratic Senate candidate Sherrod Brown warned that the state’s race could help determine who fills a future Supreme Court opening.
“Our race to decide Ohio’s next Senator could not only determine control of the U.S. Senate, but also who fills a lifetime seat on the highest court in the land,” Brown wrote.
He argued that Ohio’s next senator could either stand against another Trump nominee or help confirm one, per Breitbart News.
That possibility has made Alito’s plans a major point of interest heading into the midterms.
If Democrats win the Senate, Trump could face a much tougher path to confirming a future Supreme Court nominee.
If Republicans retain control, the White House would likely have more room to move if a vacancy opens.
For now, however, Alito says there will be no such vacancy from him during the current term.
The Supreme Court began its new term Monday.
That term will continue through June 2027.
Alito’s comments make clear that he plans to remain on the bench throughout it, regardless of which party controls the Senate after November.
