Trump Criticizes Senate 'Blue Slip' Rule Blocking Eight U.S. Attorney Nominees

President Donald Trump has vocally criticized the Senate's longstanding "blue slip" tradition, which allows home-state senators to block his nominees for district court judges and U.S. attorneys, calling it "stupid and outdated." Trump asserts that this rule has prevented confirmation of eight highly respected Republican U.S. attorney nominees in key states, accusing Democrats of convincing Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Grassley to uphold the practice to obstruct his picks. He argues the rule unfairly disadvantages Republican nominees in states with at least one Democratic senator, effectively blocking his constitutional right to appoint judges and attorneys. Grassley, however, defends the tradition, stating nominees without blue slips lack sufficient votes for confirmation. Trump claims the rule has damaged the careers of talented individuals and contends it is neither fair nor constitutional. This dispute highlights ongoing partisan tensions over judicial appointments and Senate customs.