Trump slams GOP Sen Chuck Grassley over ‘blue slip’ tradition blocking Alina Habba from NJ prosecutor job
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump lashed out Sunday night, August 24, after two fellow Republicans — Sens Chuck Grassley and Thom Tillis — defended the century-old “Blue Slip rule” that’s keeping his ally Alina Habba from sliding into New Jersey’s top prosecutor gig.
Trump is fuming over what he says is basically a Democratic veto on his power to nominate judges and US attorneys.
Habba, his former personal attorney, has been running the US Attorney’s Office in New Jersey since March in an acting role. But last Thursday, a judge ruled that Habba was “unlawfully” serving as the state’s prosecutor because she’s only in an acting capacity.
The real roadblock is New Jersey Democrats Sen Cory Booker and Sen Andy Kim, who are using the old-school “Blue Slip” tradition to block her from a permanent appointment.
Trump had already blasted the rule back in July, but this time it was Grassley’s defense that really set him off.
Trump labels Chuck Grassley a RINO
Grassley, who has served in the Senate since 1981 and is now 91, said he is sticking with the process because it gives states a voice and keeps balance intact.
But Trump wasn’t having it. On Truth Social, he reshared a post that accused Grassley of being a RINO (“Republican in name only”). Another repost called for term limits, saying it was time to “dethrone the kings.”
Grassley admitted he was “offended” and “disappointed” by the insults. Colleagues from both parties rushed to his defense.
Senators value their seniority perks, they like the blue slip tradition when it shields their own turf, and they do not appreciate a president trying to meddle with their chamber’s internal rules. As the Constitution itself states, “Each house may determine the rules of its proceedings.”
Alina Habba sides with Trump, says Chuck Grassley’s stance blocks GOP nominees
On August 22, Trump reposted Grassley’s past remarks defending the tradition. Then, over the weekend, Alina Habba weighed in during an appearance on Fox News.
“This tradition that Senator Grassley is upholding effectively prevents anybody in a blue state from going through into the Senate to then be voted on,” she told Maria Bartiromo on 'Sunday Morning Futures.'
By the night of August 24, Trump had enough.
“I have a Constitutional Right to appoint Judges and US Attorneys, but that RIGHT has been completely taken away from me in States that have just one Democrat United States Senator,” he raged on Truth Social. “This is because of an old and outdated ‘custom’ known as a BLUE SLIP, that Senator Chuck Grassley, of the Great State of Iowa, refuses to overturn, even though the Democrats, including Crooked Joe Biden (Twice!), have done so on numerous occasions.”
“Therefore, the only candidates that I can get confirmed for these most important positions are, believe it or not, Democrats! Chuck Grassley should allow strong Republican candidates to ascend to these very vital and powerful roles," Trump continued.
He added that the senator should “tell the Democrats, as they often tell us, to go to HELL!”
Trump slams ‘Blue Slip’ as vacancies pile up
The Blue Slip isn’t law but tradition. Constitutionally, presidents nominate and the Senate confirms (or rejects). But Trump objects to the custom, arguing that it gives Democrats in blue states a chokehold on his picks.
Back in July, he had already slammed it as a “hoax” and a “scam,” declaring, “Put simply, the president of the United States will never be permitted to appoint the person of his choice because of an ancient, and probably unconstitutional, ‘CUSTOM.’”
In his first term, Trump managed to install 234 federal judges, including three on the Supreme Court and 54 appellate judges. This time around, he has appointed just five confirmed in the first seven months.
Now, with judicial vacancies stacking up, Trump’s pressure campaign against Grassley could determine how many of those seats he ultimately fills.
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