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Alito Says Retirement Risks Trump’s Fourth Conservative Justice

By Drooid · Oct 4, 2026, 3:47 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito said he regularly weighs retirement each term.
Alito said his decision depends on health and the political outlook, citing a March 20 dehydration hospital visit.
He warned retiring now could allow President Donald Trump to appoint a fourth conservative justice.
Alito noted losing friendships and receiving threats after authoring the 2022 Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade.

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Story summary

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito said he regularly weighs retirement each term.
Alito said his decision depends on health and the political outlook, citing a March 20 dehydration hospital visit.
He warned retiring now could allow President Donald Trump to appoint a fourth conservative justice.
Alito noted losing friendships and receiving threats after authoring the 2022 Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade.