Republican Senators Clash With Trump Over Blue Slip, Stock Trade Ban

President Donald Trump has publicly criticized Republican Senators Chuck Grassley and Josh Hawley, sparking backlash from fellow GOP lawmakers. Trump attacked Grassley for defending the Senate tradition of the 'blue slip,' a practice allowing senators to block judicial nominees from their states, calling him 'weak and ineffective' and urging him to eliminate the custom. This prompted several Republicans, including Sen. Thom Tillis and Sen. Lisa Murkowski, to defend Grassley and caution Trump against attacking a veteran senator, with some attributing Trump's actions to poor staff advice. Meanwhile, Trump also criticized Sen. Josh Hawley for supporting a bill banning stock trading by members of Congress and the president, labeling Hawley a 'second-tier senator' and accusing him of playing into Democratic hands. Despite the insult, Hawley defended the bill and said he had a constructive conversation with Trump, who expressed support for banning stock trading among lawmakers. The tensions reveal divisions within the Republican Party as Trump challenges traditional Senate norms and fellow Republicans' legislative efforts.