News
Why Trump Might Want to Try to ‘Usher’ Alito Into Retirement: CNN Analysis
Rumors have been swirling that Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito might announce he is retiring at the end of this term, and while some wonder if the rumors are part of a “pressure campaign,” there are valid reasons why an Alito retirement — or one by Justice Clarence Thomas — would be beneficial to President Donald Trump.
According to CNN analysis, even though Alito, 76, and Thomas, 77, are staunch conservatives, they are near the average retirement age for Supreme Court justices. There are signs Democrats might take control of the Senate after the November midterm elections. Even if Republicans keep control, the GOP’s margin might shrink, making a confirmation battle difficult for any Trump nominee.
CNN notes that “even if Senate Democrats come up short in November, there could be a big difference between Trump nominating a justice with 53 Republican votes this year and trying to do so with 50 or 51 in the second half of his term.”
“But the president may have other reasons, apart from the confirmability factor, to try and usher things in this direction,” CNN notes.
For instance, a confirmation fight could be an election issue that Republicans could use to drive a “significantly less enthusiastic” GOP base to the polls.
READ MORE: Trump Axes Catholic Charities Funding for Migrant Kids Amid Pope Feud: Report
“There is some thought,” CNN notes, “that Democrats’ attempts to defeat Trump’s nomination of Brett Kavanaugh in the runup to the 2018 election helped the GOP win some vulnerable red-state Senate races in what was otherwise a tough election for the party.”
There are other reasons.
“Given Trump’s recent disenchantment with two of his appointees who ruled against him on the tariffs case — Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Neil Gorsuch — he would likely prefer to have some cushion to choose someone he might view as more loyal,” CNN notes.
But Trump’s legacy might be the more motivating factor for the almost 80-year-old president.
“Trump in his comments to Fox Business spoke about appointing someone who could serve for 40 years,” CNN reports. “If he replaced even one of Alito or Thomas with someone in their 40s, for example, the average age of the conservative justices would be less than 60. If he replaced both with justices in their 40s, that average age would drop into the mid-50s.”
With four or five appointments over two terms to the nation’s highest court, Trump could be among the few presidents in modern history to so fully shape the Supreme Court in their image.
“In theory, it’s two or three, they tell me,” Trump said of the number of possible nominations he might still be able to make.
“If you just read statistics, it could be two, could be three, could be one. I don’t know,” Trump told Fox Business, adding: “I’m prepared to do it.”
READ MORE: ‘Woe to Those Who Manipulate Religion’: Is the Pope Targeting Trump?
Image via Shutterstock
Enjoy this piece?
… then let us make a small request. The New Civil Rights Movement depends on readers like you to meet our ongoing expenses and continue producing quality progressive journalism. Three Silicon Valley giants consume 70 percent of all online advertising dollars, so we need your help to continue doing what we do.
NCRM is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. From unflinching coverage of religious extremism, to spotlighting efforts to roll back our rights, NCRM continues to speak truth to power. America needs independent voices like NCRM to be sure no one is forgotten.
Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Help ensure NCRM remains independent long into the future. Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to NCRM, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click here to donate by check.
![]() |





























