Overview
- In a Politico interview, the president said he hopes Justices Samuel Alito, 75, and Clarence Thomas, 77, remain on the bench, calling both "fantastic."
- The comments push back on reported suggestions from some Republicans that the Court's two oldest conservatives retire before the midterms to allow new nominations.
- The Supreme Court holds a 6–3 conservative majority, including three Trump appointees, and neither justice has announced plans to step down; a person close to Alito previously told the Wall Street Journal he has no plans to retire.
- The justices are preparing to hear a challenge to birthright citizenship, and Trump said it would be "devastating" if the Court blocked his attempt to end automatic citizenship.
- Trump also claimed Democrats want to expand the Court to as many as 21 seats, a charge not backed by a formal party plan.