Trump says he's 'prepared to replace Alito, Thomas on SCOTUS

During his first term, Trump named three justices to the bench, including Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett.

By Ben Whedon

Published: April 15, 2026 9:18am

President Donald Trump on Wednesday indicated he was "prepared" to nominate replacements for Associate Justices Clarence Thomas, 77, and Samuel Alito, 76, should they retire.

"I’m prepared to do it," he said on Fox News. “It could be two [justices], could be three, could be one. I don’t know."

His remarks follow Senate Majority Leader John Thune telling the Washington Examiner on Tuesday that the Senate would be ready to move swiftly on confirming replacements should they retire in the near future.

During his first term, Trump named three justices to the bench, including Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett. The court currently holds a 6-3 conservative leaning, largely due to Trump's appointment of the replacement for Ruth Bader Ginsberg.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.