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.