Alito on Fox News Sunday: bemused by retirement talk, concerned about rhetoric against the Court

Left · 2Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, 76, told Fox News Sunday host Shannon Bream that he is concerned about escalating public rhetoric about the Court and about individual justices. 1 2 Right · 1He said he puts such comments out of his mind and trusts his colleagues do the same, but worries about the long-term effect on the Court's standing. 3 Mixed · 2Alito said there has been a concerted effort to intimidate the Court and its justices to influence them to decide cases differently, and that he is concerned about the Court's future. He added that it has not always done the right thing but has on the whole protected the constitutional structure and Americans' rights. 3 1

Centre · 1Newsweek described the interview as pre-recorded and said Alito defended the Court's handling of emergency applications, arguing that presidents of both parties, frustrated at Congress, have increasingly relied on unilateral executive action. 4 Mixed · 2Bream's questions referred to President Donald Trump's recent statements about some of Alito's colleagues and to a clip of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. 3 1 Left · 1The Independent reported that Trump has increasingly criticised Justices Brett Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett and Neil Gorsuch, whom he nominated, and that the Court has recently ruled against him on birthright citizenship and his "Liberation Day" tariffs. It also noted criticism from the left, including calls for term limits, age limits or expanding the Court. 1

Centre · 1Newsweek added that a Gallup poll of 1,000 adults from September 1 to 17, 2026 found 34 percent approve and 61 percent disapprove of the Court, with approval of 65 percent among Republicans, 31 percent among independents and 12 percent among Democrats. It also noted that Trump called the justices in the majority "very unpatriotic and disloyal to our Constitution" after the Court struck down his tariffs in February, and that the Court begins its new term on Monday. 4 Left · 1On retirement, Alito said, "I am bemused by the retirement speculation. It’s not too pleasant to look up and see the vultures circling around your head." 2 Left · 2He said he has no calculation for when to leave, is grateful each day he can do the job, and that it would be foolhardy to calculate how many more years he will serve. He also said justices need not stay: "We can always quit." 1 2

Left · 2Some had expected him to retire this summer so Trump could nominate a successor and the Senate confirm one; a retirement during Trump's second term would give Trump a fourth appointment. The Independent said the interview appeared to promote Alito's new book, So Ordered. 1 2