Grassley Rebukes Trump Over Blue Slip Criticism

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley publicly rebuked former President Donald Trump after Trump criticized him and other Senate Republicans on Truth Social for maintaining the 'blue slip' tradition, which allows home-state senators to veto federal judicial nominees. Trump argued that Grassley could end the practice to speed up confirmations of Republican judges and U.S. attorneys, accusing Democrats of using blue slips to block GOP nominees and personally insulting several Democratic senators. Grassley expressed disappointment at Trump's personal attacks and defended the tradition as essential for bipartisan input and local representation in judicial appointments. The summary also notes that, despite previous adjustments to the blue slip policy for higher-level nominees during Trump's administration, Grassley resisted calls to completely abolish the practice. The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between Trump and Senate Republicans over judicial nominations and broader debates about Senate traditions. The incident underscores continuing partisan conflict over the judicial appointment process.