Supreme Court Justice Alito Discusses Retirement, Emergency Appeals Amidst New Book Release

Justice Samuel Alito has published a new book, "So Ordered: An Originalist’s View of the Constitution, the Court, and Our Country," which draws from his previous speeches to outline his judicial philosophy. In related interviews, Justice Alito addressed several topics, including his retirement plans and the increasing volume of emergency appeals before the Supreme Court.

Justice Alito stated in an interview with Bloomberg that he intends to remain on the Supreme Court through the current term, dismissing speculation about early retirement. "I intend to stick around through this term," Alito said, adding, "I made that decision many months ago." He acknowledged considering retirement generally but affirmed he does not "feel mentally or physically decrepit."

Speaking with the Associated Press, Justice Alito discussed the Supreme Court's interim docket, noting that the "escalating volume of emergency appeals before the court isn’t a good thing." He expressed concern that this trend will continue, stating, "An application is something that I think we have to rule on." Alito also clarified his recusal from *Suncor Energy Inc. v. County Commissioners of Boulder County*, a climate change dispute. Initially, he remained on the case because he did not hold stock in the involved companies, a position supported by the court's legal office. However, after further review of the case's substance, he decided to recuse himself, describing it as "a judgment call" made after "very, very serious consideration."

In other court developments, the justices heard oral arguments in *Anderson v. Intel Corporation Investment Policy Committee* on Tuesday. This dispute under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act concerns how to manage claims of imprudent employer investments of employee retirement funds. Today, the court will hear arguments in *Department of the Air Force v. Prutehi Guåhan*, a case examining the interaction of two federal environmental laws stemming from the U.S. Air Force's application to renew a permit for munitions disposal on a Guam beach. The Trump administration also introduced a dispute regarding the Federal Bureau of Prisons' policy on healthcare and accommodations for transgender inmates to the interim docket on September 28, requesting challengers to respond by 4 p.m. EDT on Thursday.

In related news, Peter Navarro, a former White House trade adviser, filed a petition on Tuesday asking the Supreme Court to review his conviction for contempt of Congress. Navarro argues he should have been allowed to present evidence that he believed executive privilege prevented his cooperation with the House Jan. 6 committee. His legal team suggests a ruling in his favor would increase the government's burden in criminal contempt cases and permit defendants to contest whether they knowingly broke the law.

Attorneys for Christa Pike reported on Tuesday that Pike is conscious and speaking after a botched execution attempt nearly a week prior. Pike's attorneys stated she has been hospitalized since September 30, following a Supreme Court decision that permitted her execution and her survival after two lethal doses of pentobarbital. They indicated she has "severe damage" to her arms and remains physically restrained.

Colorado has become a focal point for Supreme Court cases involving politically charged issues. The Wall Street Journal noted that two significant cases this term, one addressing a Colorado city's effort to hold energy companies accountable for climate change and another concerning religious schools' participation in a state preschool program, originated in Colorado. Several other recent Supreme Court cases on LGBTQ rights and religious freedom also came from the state. Legal experts attribute this trend to Colorado's shift towards more liberal policies amid population growth.

Additionally, Steve Fitschen, lead counsel for Bethany Hall in *Hall v. Fleming*, articulated in an opinion piece for The Hill why the Supreme Court should consider Hall's First Amendment challenge to the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant. Hall lost her grant after changing her major from Music Education: Choral to Youth Ministries, and remains ineligible despite a subsequent change to Music and Worship. Fitschen argues this situation forces a choice between faith and financial aid, which he contends violates the First Amendment.

The 74th annual Red Mass took place on Sunday morning at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington, D.C. Chief Justice John Roberts, Justice Brett Kavanaugh, Justice Amy Coney Barrett, and retired Justice Anthony Kennedy attended. Vice President JD Vance and his family were also present. The Mass, sponsored by the John Carroll Society, aims to invoke blessings for those involved in justice administration and public officials. Cardinal Robert McElroy, Archbishop of Washington, led the Mass, and Archbishop Timothy Broglio delivered the homily, emphasizing "caritas," or charity and love. Supreme Court justices have historically attended the Mass since its inception in 1953, though none were present last year due to a security incident involving homemade explosive devices.