Trump Says He’s Prepared To Appoint Up To 3 Supreme Court Justices

President Donald J. Trump is making it clear that he stands ready to further shape the future of the Supreme Court, signaling he could nominate as many as three justices if vacancies arise—an announcement that underscores the high stakes surrounding the Court’s ideological balance.

Speaking in an interview with Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo, Trump confirmed he has already assembled a shortlist of potential nominees, positioning his administration to act swiftly should an opening occur. His comments come amid growing speculation about a possible retirement from Justice Samuel Alito.

“In theory, it’s two — you just read the statistics — it could be two, could be three, could be one,” Trump said. “I don’t know. I’m prepared to do it, but when you mention Alito, he is a great justice,” he said.

Trump also praised Alito’s judicial record and commitment to the Constitution.

“Justice Alito is an unbelievable justice, and a brilliant justice, and he gets the country,” Trump said. “He does what’s right for the country, it’s the law, and he goes by it as much as anybody, but he gets to the point,” Trump said. “So one way you should be, ‘Oh, I’m thrilled,’ but he’s so good,” he said.

While no vacancies currently exist on the Court, attention has increasingly focused on Alito, now in his mid-70s, as well as Justice Clarence Thomas, who remains a steadfast conservative voice after more than three decades on the bench. Neither justice has publicly announced plans to step down, but the political timing of any potential retirement—particularly ahead of the 2026 midterm elections—has intensified interest in succession planning.

Recent speculation surrounding Alito accelerated after he sought medical attention for dehydration following an illness at a Federalist Society event. A Court spokesperson later confirmed he was “thoroughly checked” and returned to work promptly, easing concerns about his health.

Behind the scenes, conservative legal circles are already floating potential successors. Among the names mentioned are appellate Judge James Ho and federal Judge Aileen Cannon, both seen as jurists with strong originalist credentials.

On Capitol Hill, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley indicated that lawmakers such as Ted Cruz and Mike Lee could also be considered if a nomination process begins.

Cruz, however, dismissed the idea, emphasizing his preference to remain active in the political arena.

“The reason I’ve said no is that a principled federal judge stays out of policy fights and stays out of political fights,” Cruz said. “But I don’t want to stay out of policy fights, I don’t want to stay out of political fights,” he said. “I want to be right in the middle of them,” he said.

Trump’s remarks highlight the enduring importance of judicial appointments in shaping the nation’s legal landscape. During his first term, he appointed Justices Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett—appointments that cemented a 6–3 conservative majority on the Court.

Any additional nominations would further solidify that majority, potentially influencing constitutional interpretation for decades to come.

While previous presidents such as George H. W. Bush, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Bill Clinton each made multiple appointments, Trump’s impact has already rivaled some of the most consequential judicial legacies in modern history. By contrast, former President Joe Biden appointed a single justice, Ketanji Brown Jackson.

With speculation swirling and political stakes rising, Trump’s proactive stance sends a clear signal: if an opportunity presents itself, this administration is prepared to act decisively to preserve and strengthen a constitutionalist majority on the Supreme Court.