While former President Donald Trump completely reshaped the makeup of the U.S. Supreme Court during his first term as president, different changes could happen on his watch should he win a second term.
According to Newsweek, some legal analysts strongly believe that conservative Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas will likely resign at some point if Trump wins the White House yet again.
The reasoning would be to allow Trump to appoint a younger conservative justice to take over his role on the high court, hedging against something happening to him during a future term under a Democratic president.
Some experts believe that Thomas could also choose to resign to exit the public spotlight, especially given the attempts by Democrats to hamstring him over ethical concerns.
Though Thomas hasn't hinted whatsoever that he's thinking of resigning under a second Trump term, Anthony V. Alfieri, a law professor at the University of Miami believes that he ultimately will throw in the towel.
He also believes Thomas would rather pursue other interests, such as teaching and lecturing instead of sitting on the high court's bench.
"In the event that former President Trump is reelected in November, both Justice Thomas' age and presumed commitment to preserving his 34-year legacy ... raise the likelihood that he will resign not only to pursue other interests, such as teaching, travel and lecturing, but also to escape the harsh light of ongoing criticism and investigation of his conduct on and off the court," Alfieri said.
Other legal observers, like Stephen Gillers, a law professor at New York University, think that Thomas won't resign until a suitable, younger conservative is ready to replace him.
"Thomas will not resign unless Trump is in the White House and the Republicans control the Senate. Even then, he might prefer to remain because we know his position has come with a great deal of free and luxurious 'personal hospitality," Gillers said.
He added, "Others may financially encourage Thomas to resign in order to lock in a conservative successor, who can then sit for the next 40 years."
Thomas and Justice Samuel Alito, 74, could possibly only have a two-year window to resign even if Trump wins the White House again.
That's because Democrats will have a chance in 2026 to win control of the U.S. Senate, which even under a Republican president, could block any conservative SCOTUS nominees.
"If the Democrats lose control of the Senate, but then regain control in 2026, no Trump nominee will be confirmed," Gillers explained.
Only time will tell if Thomas pulls the trigger on retiring under Trump, but one can be rest assured that unlike his liberal counterparts, he will make the best decision for America's future.
