Trump Urges Grassley to End Senate 'Blue Slip' Judicial Review Process

Former President Donald Trump has called on Senator Chuck Grassley to discontinue the Senate's longstanding 'blue slip' tradition, which gives senators authority to approve or reject federal judicial nominees from their states. In a statement posted to Truth Social on Tuesday, Trump expressed concern that the process would allow senators representing Democratic-leaning states to block conservative judicial appointments.

The blue slip process functions as a procedural courtesy that permits senators to indicate their approval or disapproval of federal judicial or U.S. attorney nominees from their home states. Senators express their position by submitting or withholding a blue-colored form to the Senate Judiciary Committee. Historically, when a senator withholds a blue slip, the corresponding nomination has typically stalled or been blocked entirely.

In his social media message, Trump referenced actions taken during the Biden administration, stating that President Biden had bypassed the blue slip process on at least two occasions. Trump characterized the practice as a 'scam' and urged Senator Grassley to take similar action to ensure confirmation of Republican-nominated judges and U.S. attorneys.

The blue slip tradition has been a subject of ongoing debate in the Senate, with different Judiciary Committee chairs interpreting and applying the courtesy in varying ways throughout its history. The practice represents one of several Senate traditions that affect the judicial confirmation process and the balance of power between the executive branch and senators in selecting federal judges for lifetime appointments.