Grassley Tells Colleagues He Was ‘Offended’ by Trump’s Callout

The president made a late-night Truth Social post singling Grassley out and calling on him to fast-track judicial nominations.

Chuck Grassley
Alex Brandon/AP

Sen. Chuck Grassley said he was “offended” by President Donald Trump’s late-night Truth Social post singling him out and calling on Senate Republicans to fast-track the president’s judicial nominations.

“Last night, I was surprised to see President Trump on Truth Social go after me and Senate Republicans over what we call the ‘blue slip,’” Grassley said in a statement to open Wednesday’s Judiciary Committee hearing. “I was offended by what the president said and I’m disappointed that it would result in personal insult.”

The so-called blue slip practice dates back to 1917 and effectively gives senators veto power over federal judicial appointments in their state. The Senate Judiciary Committee chair sends the slips to a nominee’s home state senators, and if even one of the slips is not returned the nomination is effectively vetoed.