{"id":2518403,"date":"2025-12-07T05:44:02","date_gmt":"2025-12-07T10:44:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/gop-stands-firm-in-blue-slip-battle-with-trump-despite-prosecutor-setbacks\/"},"modified":"2025-12-07T05:46:56","modified_gmt":"2025-12-07T10:46:56","slug":"gop-stands-firm-in-blue-slip-battle-with-trump-despite-prosecutor-setbacks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/gop-stands-firm-in-blue-slip-battle-with-trump-despite-prosecutor-setbacks\/","title":{"rendered":"GOP stands firm in &#8216;blue slip&#8217; battle with Trump despite prosecutor setbacks"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fgop-stands-firm-in-blue-slip-battle-with-trump-despite-prosecutor-setbacks%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2518403&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The article discusses the ongoing bipartisan practice known as the &#8220;blue slip,&#8221; which allows U.S. senators to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trumps-legal-setbacks-reinforce-need-for-key-judicial-picks-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Trump\u2019s legal setbacks reinforce need for key judicial picks - Washington Examiner\">block judicial nominees<\/a> from their home state. This tradition remains intact despite recent setbacks involving President Donald Trump&#8217;s nominees for federal prosecutor positions,specifically Alina Habba and Lindsey Halligan,who were ruled to have been unlawfully installed after their confirmations were blocked by home-state Democrats. Key Senate Republicans, led by Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, oppose eliminating or modifying the blue slip rule, preferring to let courts decide the legality of such appointments. The article notes this stance as a rare instance of GOP resistance to Trump&#8217;s efforts to change Senate procedures, akin to their opposition to abolishing the filibuster. However, some Republicans, like Sen. Josh Hawley, suggest a possible future exception for U.S. attorney appointments if ongoing partisan blockades persist. both parties continue to rely heavily on blue slips to influence judicial and prosecutorial appointments, maintaining the tradition despite political pressures.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">GOP stands firm in &lsquo;blue slip&rsquo; battle with Trump despite prosecutor setbacks<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2185385\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>The longstanding bipartisan tradition of allowing senators to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-prosecutor-pick-lindsey-halligan-tees-up-senate-blue-slip-battle\/\" title=\"Trump prosecutor pick Lindsey Halligan tees up Senate &#039;...\u2019 battle\">sink judicial nominees<\/a> from their home state appears safe for now, despite high-profile setbacks involving President Donald Trump&rsquo;s <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3820687\/trump-pick-lindsey-halligan-virginia-prosecutor-blue-slip-battle-senate\/\">hand-picked federal prosecutors<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Key Republicans are resisting Trump&rsquo;s calls to abolish the Senate&rsquo;s &ldquo;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3486453\/blue-slips-judicial-nominees-trump-grassley\/\">blue slip<\/a>&rdquo; practice on judicial nominees, even after courts determined <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3902396\/appeals-court-alina-habba-unlawfully-served-new-jersey-prosecutor\/\">Alina Habba<\/a> and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3897002\/james-comey-letitia-james-indictments-tossed-lindsey-halligan\/\">Lindsey Halligan<\/a> were unlawfully installed as interim U.S. attorneys in New Jersey and Virginia, respectively, following blockades to their confirmations by home-state Democrats.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3907870\/ivf-china-housing-congress-ndaa-bill-holdups\/\">IVF, China, and housing: Congress works through final defense bill holdups<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3907923\/senate-confirm-10-trump-nominees-snafu-democrats\/\">Trump scores 10 extra nominees after snafu with Senate Democrats<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3907133\/senate-democrats-three-year-obamacare-subsidy-bill-gop-jeers\/\">Senate Democrats settle on three-year Obamacare subsidy bill, drawing GOP jeers<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Senators on the Judiciary Committee, tasked with advancing U.S. attorneys and judges, indicated they are taking cues from panel Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA), who has been steadfastly against alterations to the upper chamber&rsquo;s century-old unofficial rule, which gives senators home-state veto power, despite pressure from Trump. In a statement, Grassley spokeswoman Clare Slattery said it will be &ldquo;up to the courts,&rdquo; possibly even the Supreme Court, to determine the legality of Trump&rsquo;s interim appointments, but reiterated the lack of appetite among GOP senators to modify the process.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;U.S. attorney&nbsp;and district judge nominees without <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >blue slips don&#038;rsquo<\/a>;t have the votes to get through committee or pass on the Senate floor,&rdquo; Slattery said.<\/p>\n<p>Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO), noting Grassley &ldquo;has been pretty clear about where he&rsquo;s at,&rdquo; said he did not believe &ldquo;anything&rsquo;s changed&rdquo; on the broad desire to safeguard the tradition.<\/p>\n<p>The resistance to rolling back the use of blue slips marks rare GOP defiance to Trump but closely resembles <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3878248\/where-every-senate-republican-stands-trump-end-filibuster\/\">Senate Republicans&rsquo; opposition<\/a> to his crusade to nuke the 60-vote filibuster. And like the filibuster, Trump has made it no secret <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3485805\/trump-grassley-blue-slip-confirmation-appointees\/\">his disdain<\/a> for what he considers a &ldquo;SCAM&rdquo; and a &ldquo;ridiculous custom.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;They&rsquo;re a tool that have been used by both sides of it. Look, I understand President Trump&rsquo;s frustration,&rdquo; said Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL), a former longtime Capitol Hill staffer who was instrumental in crafting the GOP&rsquo;s &ldquo;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3814837\/senate-confirms-first-batch-trump-nominees-nuclear-option\/\">nuclear option<\/a>&rdquo; rule change this year to confirm other nominees en masse. &ldquo;But I feel like that issue is one where there is &mdash; there is no movement on that.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), center, attends an event about &ldquo;Arctic Frost&rdquo; with Republican senators on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo\/Jacquelyn Martin)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Both parties rely heavily on blue slips to essentially veto home-state judicial nominees they disapprove, including sometimes those who are nominated by presidents of their own party. However, at least one Republican, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO), went a step further than his colleagues in suggesting that a carveout to blue slips for U.S. attorneys may soon be warranted.<\/p>\n<p>Hawley reflected on his frustrations and experience using blue slips to block judges in Missouri under the Biden administration and told the Washington Examiner that he has spoken personally with Trump about the practice. However, he said, continued stonewalling by Democrats of U.S. attorneys, who, unlike judges, do not serve lifetime appointments, could &ldquo;start to beg for a carveout&rdquo; similar to the changes made in September for confirming other presidential nominees. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has also brandished his blue slip power to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3387037\/how-trump-circumvent-schumer-blockade-new-york-prosecutors\/\">block Trump&rsquo;s prosecutor nominees<\/a> in the Empire State.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3902396\/appeals-court-alina-habba-unlawfully-served-new-jersey-prosecutor\/\">APPEALS COURT FINDS ALINA HABBA UNLAWFULLY SERVED AS TOP NEW JERSEY PROSECUTOR<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The longer this goes on, and the more firm the intransigence is, the more settled it is, I think the more that a carveout starts to be reasonable,&rdquo; Hawley said. &ldquo;I would just urge [Democrats] to rethink the embargo, because I think a year from now, two years from now, it could be a problem.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The White House did not provide comment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>GOP resists ending &#8216;blue slip&#8217; despite Trump&#8217;s prosecutor issues<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3108,"featured_media":2518404,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/AP25302758939702.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[60220,6203,32838,68377,3634],"class_list":["post-2518403","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-blue-slip","tag-gop","tag-political-battle","tag-prosecutor-setbacks","tag-trump"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/AP25302758939702.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2518403","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3108"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2518403"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2518403\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2518407,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2518403\/revisions\/2518407"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2518404"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2518403"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2518403"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2518403"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}