Trump Calls for End to Senate’s Blue Slip Tradition
President Donald Trump has urged Senate Majority Leader John Thune to eliminate the Senate’s informal “Blue Slip” tradition. This practice allows senators from either party to block certain presidential nominees, such as federal judges and U.S. attorneys, by not returning a specific form to the Judiciary Committee.
On his Truth Social platform, Trump criticized the tradition as a “scam.” He argued that it gives Democrats an unfair advantage by allowing them to veto Republican nominees in states where they dominate, calling on Thune (R-S.D.) to act quickly to prevent “great Republicans” from being dismissed.
However, Thune has shown hesitation and voiced disagreement regarding this initiative during a recent appearance on Fox News and subsequent interviews, including with the Washington Examiner. He noted that the Blue Slip process enjoys bipartisan support, can be advantageous for Republicans when Democrats are in the White House, and is favored by a significant number of Republican senators.
“‘Blue Slips’ are making it impossible to get great Republican Judges and U.S. Attorneys approved to serve in any state where there is even a single Democrat Senator. If they say no, then it is OVER for that very well qualified Republican candidate. Only a really far left Democrat can be approved,” Trump stated.
“It is shocking that Republicans, under Senator Chuck [Grassley] (R-Iowa), allow this scam to continue. So unfair to Republicans, and not Constitutional,” he added, insisting, “I am hereby asking Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a fantastic guy, to get something done, ideally the termination of Blue Slips. Too many GREAT REPUBLICANS are being, SENT PACKIN’. None are getting approved!!!”
Trump also highlighted that several Democrat senators are holding back at least 10 of his U.S. Attorney nominees by refusing to submit their “blue slips.” One high-profile case involves Alina Habba, his nominee for U.S. Attorney in New Jersey, who resigned after a court determined her appointment was unlawful.
Senators like Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Andy Kim (D-N.J.) did not submit their blue slips, effectively blocking Habba’s nomination from proceeding out of committee or reaching a full vote in the Senate. The Blue Slip issue was the primary reason for her inability to secure a permanent, Senate-confirmed position, while the court’s ruling about unlawful service was what prompted her resignation.
