Senate GOP Grassley Upholds Blue Slip Tradition Blocking Trump Nominees

President Donald Trump has publicly criticized Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley for upholding the Senate's 'blue slip' tradition, which allows home-state senators to veto district court and U.S. attorney nominees. Trump argues this custom unjustly strips him of his constitutional right to appoint judges, especially in states with a single Democratic senator, and alleges it enables Democrats to block his nominees. Despite Trump's pressure and calls for Grassley to defy the tradition and expedite confirmations of Republican candidates, Grassley maintains that the blue slip process is an important Senate norm that ensures bipartisan input and prevents court-packing. The tension escalated after Trump’s nominee Alina Habba was blocked due to opposition from New Jersey’s Democratic senators, leading Habba herself to criticize Grassley and other Republicans for hindering the nomination process. Grassley insists that nominees without blue slips lack the votes for confirmation and emphasizes his role in setting up nominees for success rather than failure. This dispute highlights a broader conflict over Senate customs and the balance of power in judicial appointments during Trump's presidency.