Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Key Takeaways
- Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley staunchly defends the blue slip tradition amid public criticism from former President Donald Trump.
- Trump has publicly called for ending the blue slip practice to expedite judicial nominations, criticizing its role in obstructing appointments in key states.
- Grassley emphasized that the blue slip maintains bipartisanship and safeguards community interests in judicial appointments.
- This intra-party clash highlights broader tensions over judicial nominations and Senate customs in 2025 political dynamics.
- The outcome may influence future presidential nomination strategies and the balance of local versus federal appointment control.
Table of Contents
What Is the Blue Slip Tradition?
Trump’s Public Call to End the Tradition
Grassley’s Response: Offended and Firm
What Is the Blue Slip Tradition?
The blue slip is a Senate custom allowing senators from a nominee’s state to approve or block appointments to federal courts and U.S. attorney positions. It promotes bipartisanship by ensuring local input before confirmations proceed. Grassley, a veteran Republican senator, has defended this tradition despite Trump’s relentless calls for its abolition to speed his nominees’ confirmations, especially in Democratic-controlled states.
Trump’s Public Call to End the Tradition
On July 29 and 30, 2025, Trump used his social media platform, TruthSocial, to pressure Grassley to end the blue slip practice immediately, accusing it of obstructing the appointment of “great judges or U.S. attorneys” in key states like California and New York. Trump framed this as a weakness of the Republican Party and urged Grassley to act unilaterally with “a mere flick of the pen”[1][2].
Grassley’s Response: Offended and Firm
Grassley responded during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing by expressing offense at Trump’s personal attacks and emphasizing the importance of the blue slip in ensuring judicial nominees reflect community interests and maintain Senate bipartisanship. He highlighted that this tradition protects the integrity of district court and U.S. attorney appointments, which directly impact local law enforcement and justice[1][2].
Despite Trump’s barrage, Grassley affirmed he would continue advancing nominees with bipartisan input and reassured that the committee remains committed to its constitutional duty[3]. Grassley even remarked he has “no more to say about it than what I’ve been saying for 50 years” about the practice[3].
The Political Stakes
This conflict surfaces amidst broader tensions over Trump’s judicial nominations. Senate Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, have used their own blue slip privileges to block some Trump nominees, reflecting escalating partisan battles over the judiciary’s future makeup[2]. Grassley’s position attempts to preserve a delicate Senate balance by maintaining long-standing customs, even as Trump’s faction pushes to eliminate perceived obstacles.
Trump’s campaign against Grassley has included amplifying social media posts labeling Grassley outdated and calling for term limits on long-serving politicians, framing the senator’s 92-year-old age as a liability[3][4].
Why It Matters
The outcome of this intra-party dispute could reshape judicial appointment strategies going forward. If the blue slip tradition is curtailed, presidents could push through nominees with less senatorial input, accelerating confirmations but risking increased partisanship and local backlash.
Grassley’s stand highlights the enduring role of Senate customs in protecting institutional norms and federalism, even amid intense political pressure. As the 2025 confirmation cycle continues, this battle will influence not only the courts but also the future dynamics of Senate governance.
FAQ
What is the blue slip?
The blue slip is a Senate custom allowing senators from a nominee’s state to approve or block appointments to federal courts and U.S. attorney positions.
Why does Trump want to end the blue slip?
Trump believes ending the blue slip would allow the faster confirmation of his judicial nominees, especially in Democratic-controlled states, and reduce what he sees as Congressional obstruction.
How has Grassley responded?
Grassley has defended the blue slip tradition, emphasizing its role in ensuring community representation and bipartisan cooperation, and has expressed offense at Trump’s public pressure.