Justice Samuel Alito, 76, has repeatedly signaled he intends to serve through the Supreme Court’s 2026-27 term, which begins October 5 and runs until June or July 2027. In an August 2026 Wall Street Journal interview, he stated he is “here for another term,” addressing speculation fueled by an erroneous June 2026 NPR report and conservative calls for retirement that would allow President Trump to appoint a successor while Republicans hold a Senate majority. Recent reports indicate he and Justice Clarence Thomas have no plans to step down before the November 2026 midterms. Alito’s September 2026 recusal from a climate-related case involving fossil fuel holdings drew attention to potential conflicts but offered no retirement signals. Any announcement would trigger Senate confirmation proceedings and reshape the court’s conservative majority.