James Ho, the 5th Circuit originalist tipped as the heir to Clarence Thomas

Published December 16, 2024 8:00am ET



The return of President-elect Donald Trump this January has led to speculation that conservative powerhouses of the Supreme Court could be encouraged to retire, allowing Trump to cement a decadeslong legacy on the bench.

While Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito have shown no indication that they plan to step down, it has nonetheless encouraged court watchers to fantasy book who might be next in line.

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