President Donald Trump has announced his intention to file a lawsuit against the Senate’s blue slip tradition, which he claims prevents him from appointing federal judges and U.S. attorneys. The blue slip, a long-standing Senate tradition, allows state senators to block nominees for positions in their state. Trump, who has confirmed only five judges in his second term, has previously criticized the tradition as a ‘scam’ used to block his nominees. The president made his comments while signing executive orders related to the elimination of cashless bail policies. Trump’s frustration with the blue slip tradition is not new; he has previously called the practice a ‘hoax’ and a ‘scam’ used by Democrats to block his nominees. His comments are part of a broader dispute with the Senate, which has confirmed only five judges in his second term.
The blue slip is a longstanding tradition but not a codified law. Constitutionally, the president has the power to nominate while the Senate ultimately approves or rejects that nomination. However, the blue slip practice has often been used to delay or block the confirmation of nominees, particularly when there is opposition from the Senate’s minority party. This practice is seen as a way to maintain balance and allow for state input in the nomination process.
Trump’s criticism of the blue slip tradition has been met with resistance from top GOP senators, including Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, who has defended the practice as a norm worth preserving for balance and state input. Grassley has said he views the blue slip as a way to ensure that state senators have a say in the nomination of federal judges and U.S. attorneys, particularly in their home states.
Despite his criticism of the blue slip tradition, Trump has managed to confirm several federal judges in his first term, including three Supreme Court justices and 54 appellate court judges. However, in his second term, he has only confirmed five judges in the first seven months, which has led to frustration within his administration.
Trump’s comments are part of a broader pattern of frustration with the Senate’s ability to confirm his nominees. He has previously called the Senate