'A great man!': Trump comments on possible Alito retirement

President Donald Trump on Friday shared an article from Politico in which Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel Alito confirmed that he was considering retirement.

Trump included his own comment, calling Alito a "great man." Should he retire within Trump's term, it would mark the fourth opening on the bench under the president. He previously appointed three justices in his first term.

But speculation about Alito's retirement has abounded for years, and a potential Republican midterm loss in November could hamper Trump's ability to replace him if the GOP loses the Senate.

Associate Justice Clarence Thomas has also attracted speculation over a potential retirement. At present, the Supreme Court includes six conservative justices and three liberal ones.

Another selection from Trump would most likely preserve that balance, unless one of the court's three liberals opts to retire first.

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