Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito is not expected to step down this term and has already hired all four law clerks for the upcoming annual term, multiple sources said, despite speculation that the high court justice was weighing retirement.
Alito "is not stepping down this term and is in the process of hiring the rest of his clerks for the next term," according to a source with Fox. Two other sources in the report said that Alito is not retiring this term, which lasts until the Supreme Court's new year kicks off in October.
Justices tend to hire their clerks two to three years in advance, although that process is not necessarily indicative of a justice's retirement plans.
The news comes after President Donald Trump told Fox Business' Maria Bartiromo, he is "prepared" to appoint up to three Supreme Court justices if vacancies arise. Trump added that he has a shortlist of nominees in mind, though he did not mention any names.
Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), whose committee is responsible for ushering judicial nominees to Senate confirmation, said Tuesday that he would recommend Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) for the high court post if Alito announces his retirement.