Overview
- Justice Samuel Alito told the Wall Street Journal on Friday that he intends to remain on the Supreme Court for at least the next term and is not planning to retire now.
- Alito rejected the notion that he times votes for political gain and said he decides cases the way he thinks they should be decided.
- The statement followed an erroneous June 30 NPR report that briefly announced his retirement and was retracted after reporter Nina Totenberg said she misheard an announcement and apologized.
- By staying, Alito removes the immediate chance for President Donald Trump to appoint a fourth justice, since any vacancy would allow the president to nominate a replacement who must be confirmed by the Senate.
- Coverage split along ideological lines with conservative outlets framing the news as a win for stability and liberal outlets highlighting the decision’s impact on the court’s recent conservative rulings and the heightened importance of the upcoming midterm elections.