Published on: Wed, 22 Apr 2026 20:15:54 GMT
Original Story: If Justice Alito resigns before the midterms, a Trump nominee to the Supreme Court is likely to sail through confirmation – The Conversation

Alito Resigns? Buckle Up, Buttercups.

Okay, folks, let’s just say Justice Alito decides to, oh, I don’t know, spontaneously combust from sheer conservative indignation before the midterms. What happens then? Well, according to *The Conversation*, a Trump nominee would likely waltz through confirmation. Because, you know, the Senate’s never been more reasonable. Insert eye roll here.

The Supreme Court: Now Accepting Applications (Not Really)

The article lays out the painfully obvious: If a vacancy opens up, Trump (or whoever the GOP trots out in ’24) will nominate someone who makes Antonin Scalia look like a raging liberal. And given the current makeup of the Senate (assuming it stays that way, knock on wood), that nominee will probably get confirmed. Remember Brett Kavanaugh? Yeah, good times. Good times.

But Wait, There’s More! (Of Course There Is)

Let’s not pretend this is some shocking revelation. We’ve been hurtling towards this judicial cliff for years. The right has been playing the long game, strategically placing judges at every level of the judiciary. And who can blame them? It’s not like the Democrats have been masters of strategy either. They were too busy debating the merits of vegan gluten-free cupcakes to notice the legal landscape shifting under their feet.

Trump’s Ever-Evolving Supreme Court Philosophy

Now, let’s talk about Trump and the Supreme Court. Remember back in 2016? He released a list of potential Supreme Court nominees, promising to pick someone from that list. A bold move, sure, but also one that painted him into a corner. But hey, corners are for squares, right? This is where it gets interesting. Because Trump’s ‘corner’ changed depending on who he was trying to charm at any given moment. One day he’s promising strict constructionists; the next, he’s winking and nodding about overturning *Roe v. Wade*. The constant was that his nominees would be “his” picks, loyal above all else. A far cry from the “best people” he promised to hire (insert another, even bigger, eye roll). He championed judicial restraint back in 2016, claiming he wanted judges who would simply interpret the Constitution as written. Fast forward to 2020, and he was actively seeking judges who would overturn election results. So much for restraint.

The Hypocrisy is Palpable (and Predictable)

The hypocrisy is thick enough to cut with a chainsaw. The same people who screamed about “judicial activism” when the courts ruled in favor of civil rights are now cheering on judges who are actively rewriting decades of precedent to fit a particular political agenda. Color me shocked. No really, use a *very* vibrant color, because my cynicism is so deeply ingrained at this point, it’s practically a geological formation.

What’s At Stake? (Besides Everything)

Okay, so what’s at stake if Alito bails and Trump gets another pick? Well, only, like, everything. Abortion rights, voting rights, environmental regulations, the very separation of church and state… basically, all the things that make America even remotely resembling a functioning democracy. And don’t even get me started on the potential for a constitutional crisis if Trump tries to pull some shenanigans with the 2024 election. We’ve already seen how far he’s willing to go. Remember January 6th? Pepperidge Farm remembers.

The Midterms: Our Last, Best Hope? (Maybe)

The midterms are crucial. If the Democrats can somehow, against all odds, hold onto the Senate (or even *gasp* expand their majority), they could at least put up a fight against a Trump nominee. But let’s be realistic, folks. The odds are stacked against them. The political landscape is a minefield, and the right-wing media machine is working overtime to demonize anyone who isn’t a card-carrying member of the MAGA cult. Still, stranger things have happened. I mean, remember when Milli Vanilli won a Grammy? Anything is possible.

Snarky Takeaway

So, Alito might resign, Trump might get another Supreme Court pick, and the world might end. Or maybe, just maybe, we’ll all wake up from this fever dream and realize that we need to start taking democracy seriously before it’s too late. But probably not. I’m putting my money on the apocalypse. At least then I won’t have to file quarterly reports.