Justice Samuel Alito Weighs Retirement, Cites Health, Politics and Personal Cost

In a rare CBS News interview, Justice Samuel Alito, 76, said he must “think about” retirement each term because of his age and health. The interview also covered the difficulty of predicting future political conditions that could affect a successor’s appointment.

The Guardian

Alito was appointed by President George W. Bush in 2006 and has served on the Court for two decades, becoming a key voice on issues such as gun rights, executive power and abortion. He authored the 2022 majority opinion in *Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization* that overturned *Roe v. Wade*. The decision created a conservative supermajority that includes Justices Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, Amy Barrett, Clarence Thomas and Chief Justice John Roberts. Speculation about Alito’s retirement intensified after a hospital visit for dehydration on March 20, after which he returned home and resumed duties by March 23.

The GuardianNewsweekThe Independent

• A Gallup poll released on September 30 found 34 % of respondents approved of the Supreme Court’s performance, while 61 % disapproved.

Newsweek

• A July 2026 Pew Research Center survey reported that 53 % of Americans held an unfavorable view of the Court, a three-decade low.

Newsweek

• A Supreme Court spokesperson confirmed that Alito was treated for dehydration, returned to his Virginia home that night, and was back at work by March 23.

The Guardian

• Alito warned that “very harsh criticism” from both President Trump and President Biden could be damaging to the Court’s reputation. He reiterated that the Court’s role is to interpret the Constitution, not to advance any political agenda.

Newsweek

• “One side or the other is going to really dislike you because of the decision,” — Samuel Alito

The Guardian

• “We are not part of any political movement,” — Samuel Alito

The Guardian

• “There are cases that have resulted in the loss of old friendships,” — Samuel Alito

Newsweek

• “Because it's a decision wherein the court abandoned what was existing law, which was established by the court, and precedent that was nearly 50 years old, and not precedent that had been abandoned over time,” — Michele Goodwin

Newsweek

• “It's a sad fact that threats against judges and justices have spiked so much in recent years," Gabe Roth, executive director of the nonprofit Fix the Court, told Newsweek.” — Gabe Roth, executive director of the nonprofit Fix the Court

Newsweek

Alito indicated that his decision will depend on personal health, the political environment and which president is in office when a vacancy arises. No specific timeline for a retirement announcement has been provided.

The Guardian