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1h ago

Trump Threatens Lawsuit Over Senate ‘Blue Slips’ as Grassley Stands Firm

The century-old courtesy lets home-state senators block district court and U.S. attorney picks.

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Alina Habba attends her swearing-in ceremony as interim U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 28, 2025. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/File photo
U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) walks through the U.S.Capitol Building June 16, 2025 in Washington, DC.
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Overview

  • In Oval Office remarks Monday, President Trump said he will likely file a lawsuit challenging the blue-slip practice as unconstitutional.
  • Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley countered that nominees without home-state support lack the votes to clear committee or the floor, arguing he is positioning Trump’s picks for success.
  • Senate Republicans including Thom Tillis and John Thune resisted changing the tradition, with Tillis vowing to oppose nominees who lack home-state senator backing.
  • The showdown intensified after a federal judge on Thursday ruled Alina Habba unlawfully remained acting U.S. attorney for New Jersey beyond her 120-day interim term.
  • Habba’s nomination was withdrawn in July after New Jersey Sens. Cory Booker and Andy Kim objected through the blue-slip process, which committee chairs have discretion to enforce.