President Donald Trump is continuing his overnight crusade against Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Grassley in an apparent attempt to pressure the Iowa Republican to ram through more nominees coming before his panel without deference to lawmakers whose states would be affected.
Trump early Wednesday morning re-posted several Truth Social messages from various users calling attention to Grassley’s age — he’ll be 92 years old in September — and expressing support for the Judiciary chair to follow Trump’s wishes.
Trump specifically wants Grassley to abandon the so-called blue slip policy for district court judges and U.S. attorney nominees, a practice that allows home state senators to object to the personnel picks for their state and in turn gives the minority party some power over the process. Grassley gave up the practice for circuit court judges during Trump’s first term but has not indicated a willingness to jettison it for other positions.
The president re-posted another response to his initial request from Tuesday evening that Grassley to have the “courage” to end the blue slip practice “IMMEDIATELY,” one which called for “Dethron[ing] the Kings” by placing term limits on politicians. Elected officials on the list, accompanied by their years of service, included Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and former Democratic Speaker Nancy Pelosi — but also Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell and Grassley.
Trump also highlighted another post from a Truth Social user saying it would be a fitting “Swan song” for Grassley’s decades-long career in the Senate.
It did not appear that Grassley was immediately receptive to Trump’s pleading, saying Tuesday night, “I’ve already spoken about the blue slip problem. And I’ve got no more to say than what I’ve been saying for 50 years.” His office also provided a statement saying Grassley has, and will continue, to move judges through his committee with buy-in from Democrats.
When asked for comment Wednesday morning on Trump’s continued social media barrage, a spokesperson for Grassley referred to the earlier statement that reaffirmed Grassley’s support for input from home state senators.
