HUNT VALLEY, Md. (TNND) — Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, the 76-year-old conservative stalwart, reportedly told people close to him after the GOP's catastrophic Election Day performance he'll stay on the bench for the immediate future.
Alito's advanced age and adherence to Republican principles has aroused speculation about his potential retirement, particularly as the party appeared poised to lose its Senate majority, along with its ability to confirm a fourth appointee of President Donald Trump to the court. Despite the Senate's upcoming power flip—Democrats will take control in January—Alito isn't planning on giving Trump an opening to name his replacement ahead of potential Democratic obstruction, according to The New York Times.
The National News Desk requested comment from the court but hasn't received a response.
Senate Democrats have been eager to get their hands on the reins of the chamber, partially to block the president from appointing another conservative justice to the bench's commanding right wing. Senator Richard Blumenthal, a senior Judiciary Committee Democrat, said earlier this fall the panel would almost certainly hold up a successor to Alito or another agi...