By Andrew ChungAug 7 (Reuters) – U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito tamped down speculation that he could soon retire, telling the Wall Street Journal in an article published on Friday that he intended to remain on the court for at least another term. “Obviously I’m here for another term,” Alito, 76, said in an interview published in the newspaper’s opinion section. Alito and fellow conservative Justice Clarence Thomas, 78, have faced some calls by conservatives to step down, which would give Republican President Donald Trump a chance to appoint a fourth Supreme Court justice to the lifetime post. A spokesperson for the Supreme Court did not immediately respond to a request for comment concerning Alito’s plans. Alito, who joined the court in 2006 after being appointed by Republican President George W. Bush, has become one of its staunchest conservatives.