I like the concept, but
I strongly suspect that
Judge Thomas would like to retire soon, and is holding out for the duration of Trump’s first term only.
It may be time to make Supreme Court appointments not for a lifetime, but for perhaps 25 years.
Justice Thomas is a great man, and a great American, and I would certainly wish him well if he retires. But he would be sorely missed - having him on the high court is about as close as we can get, to having one of the Founding Fathers/Framers of the Constitution seated there. Read his opinions; he writes like James Madison...