Supreme Court justice sounds the alarm as 'vultures circling' around him: 'Foolhardy'
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and Justice Samuel Alito attend a private ceremony for retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor before public repose in the Great Hall at the Supreme Court in Washington, Monday, Dec. 18, 2023. Jacquelyn Martin/Pool via REUTERS/

One Supreme Court justice sounded the alarm in an interview with Fox News on Sunday amid speculation about his impending retirement.

Samuel Alito, one of the Supreme Court's most conservative justices, sat down with Shannon Bream on "Fox News Sunday" to discuss the state of the court and recent criticisms that have been levied in the wake of the 2022 Dobbs decision, which overturned the Roe v. Wade precedent, Politico reported. Alito told Bream that he's seen the "vultures circling" around him for some time and that escalating public rhetoric about the court has left him "concerned."

"I am bemused by the retirement speculation. It’s not too pleasant to look up and see the vultures circling around your head,” Alito said during the interview.

Speculation has swirled about when Alito, 76, will announce his retirement. If he retires during President Donald Trump's second term, the president would have an opportunity to appoint his fourth Supreme Court justice.

Alito pushed back on concerns about his retirement.

“I think it would be foolhardy to make a calculation that I will serve for a certain number of additional years,” he added, addressing concerns about his impending retirement.