Justice Samuel Alito will remain on the Supreme Court despite Democratic wins in the recent election. The conservative justice has told friends he has no plans to step down before the court’s term ends.
Democrats are set to take control of the Senate in January. That shift had fueled speculation about a possible early retirement by the 76-year-old justice.
Alito’s decision avoids giving President Biden another Supreme Court appointment. It also prevents a confirmation fight during the lame-duck session.
The justice has served on the high court since 2006. He authored the majority opinion overturning Roe v. Wade in 2022.
Talk of retirement surfaced after the election results became clear. Supporters had urged Alito to step aside while Republicans still held the Senate.
No formal announcement has been made. The court’s current term runs through late June or early July.
Alito’s move keeps the court’s 6-3 conservative majority intact for now. Any future vacancy would likely intensify debate over the court’s direction.
