Trump presses Thune to ‘get something done’ on stalled nominees
In a bold move, former President Donald Trump has called on Senate Majority Leader John Thune to eliminate the Senate’s “blue slip” tradition, which he claims hinders the appointment of Republican judicial and U.S. attorney nominees. This tradition allows senators to block nominations from their home states, and Trump argues that it has disproportionately benefited Democrats, allowing them to veto qualified Republican candidates. In a post on Truth Social, he expressed frustration over the current system, stating, “If they say no, then it is OVER for that very well qualified Republican candidate.” Trump’s comments come amid ongoing legal scrutiny regarding his own U.S. attorney appointments, highlighting the contentious environment surrounding judicial nominations.
The blue slip tradition has been a longstanding practice in the Senate, serving as a mechanism for senators to voice their approval or disapproval of nominees from their states. While Trump argues that this practice is unfair and unconstitutional, many senators, regardless of party affiliation, are wary of abolishing it. They fear that eliminating the blue slip could lead to a power imbalance in the nomination process, stripping them of the ability to block nominees they deem unsuitable. Trump’s push for reform comes at a time when his own judicial appointments are facing legal challenges, including the recent resignation of Alina Habba, the former top federal prosecutor in New Jersey, after a court ruled her appointment was unlawful.
As the Senate grapples with these complex issues, the future of Trump’s judicial nominations hangs in the balance. His call for change reflects a broader frustration within the Republican Party regarding the nomination process, as many believe that qualified candidates are being sidelined due to partisan politics. However, the potential consequences of dismantling the blue slip tradition could lead to a more contentious and less collaborative Senate, raising questions about the future of judicial appointments in an increasingly polarized political landscape.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7O3lwwsGwY
President
Donald Trump
on Thursday pressed
Senate Majority Leader
John Thune, R-S.D., to dismantle the Senate’s “blue slip” tradition, arguing that the practice has allowed Democrats to block Republican judicial and U.S. attorney nominees.
“If they say no, then it is OVER for that very well qualified Republican candidate. Only a really far left Democrat can be approved. It is shocking that Republicans, under
Senator Chuck G
, allow this scam to continue. So unfair to Republicans, and not Constitutional,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“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’s remarks come as courts continue to
scrutinize the legality of his
U.S. attorney appointments.
GRASSLEY REBUKES TRUMP’S PRESSURE TO ‘HAVE THE COURAGE’ TO SPEED UP NOMINATIONS
Alina Habba announced on Monday
that she would be stepping down as the top federal prosecutor in New Jersey after an appeals court ruled she was unlawfully serving in the role.
Trump appointed Lindsey Halligan to serve as interim U.S. Attorney for the
Eastern District of Virginia
, after Erik Siebert resigned. A federal judge in November dismissed the indictments of former FBI Director
James Comey
and New York Attorney General Letitia James, finding that Halligan had been unlawfully appointed and therefore lacked the authority to bring the charges.
GRASSLEY REBUKES TRUMP’S PRESSURE TO ‘HAVE THE COURAGE’ TO SPEED UP NOMINATIONS
Trump is effectively urging the Senate to end the long-standing custom for all judicial nominees. Senators from both parties are reluctant to change the practice, fearing they would lose the ability to stall or block nominees they have concerns about.
Fox News’ Chad Pergram contributed to this report.
