President Donald Trump said he is prepared to appoint up to three Supreme Court justices if vacancies arise, signaling readiness to further reshape the high court. His comments come as speculation continues surrounding a potential retirement by Justice Samuel Alito.
Trump made the remarks during an interview with Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo. He said Alito could retire and confirmed he has a shortlist of potential nominees, though he did not identify any candidates, Fox News reported.
“In theory, it’s two — you just read the statistics — it could be two, could be three, could be one,” Trump said. “I don’t know. I’m prepared to do it, but when you mention Alito, he is a great justice,” he said.
The comments highlight the potential impact of any future vacancy on the court’s ideological balance. Republicans have been focused on the timing of a possible opening ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Alito, who is in his mid-70s, has been the subject of increasing retirement speculation in recent months. Observers have pointed to his age, tenure and the current political environment as factors that could influence his decision.
The speculation intensified after Alito was treated for dehydration following an illness at a Federalist Society dinner. A Supreme Court spokesperson said at the time that he was “thoroughly checked” and returned to the bench the following Monday.
Justice Clarence Thomas, who is slightly older than Alito, has drawn less public discussion about retirement. Thomas has served on the court for more than three decades and remains a consistent conservative voice.
Trump praised Alito during the interview while acknowledging the potential implications of his departure. “Justice Alito is an unbelievable justice, and a brilliant justice, and he gets the country,” Trump said.
“He does what’s right for the country, it’s the law, and he goes by it as much as anybody, but he gets to the point,” Trump said. “So one way you should be, ‘Oh, I’m thrilled,’ but he’s so good,” he said.
Legal observers have begun discussing possible successors should a vacancy emerge. Names circulating in legal circles include federal appellate Judge James Ho and Florida-based federal Judge Aileen Cannon.
Trump has not publicly confirmed any preferred nominees. He said only that he is prepared to act if a vacancy occurs.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley said he would recommend Sens. Ted Cruz and Mike Lee if a nomination process begins. Grassley said he hopes Alito remains on the court but added that the Senate is prepared to act if necessary.
Cruz responded to reports about his potential consideration. “The reason I’ve said no is that a principled federal judge stays out of policy fights and stays out of political fights,” Cruz said.
“But I don’t want to stay out of policy fights, I don’t want to stay out of political fights,” he said. “I want to be right in the middle of them,” he said.
A spokesperson for Lee did not respond to a request for comment. His office has not publicly addressed the speculation.
Trump has already had a significant impact on the Supreme Court’s composition. During his first term, he appointed Justices Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett.
Those appointments contributed to the court’s current 6-3 conservative majority. Legal analysts say additional appointments could further solidify that alignment for years.
Other presidents have made multiple appointments, though fewer in recent decades. Former Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush each appointed two justices, as did Barack Obama and Bill Clinton.
Former President Joe Biden appointed one justice during his term. He selected Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson to the court.
