Republican senators are blasting President Donald Trump for launching personal attacks on 91-year-old Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), the longest-serving Republican in the Senate.
Trump went after Grassley on Truth Social, demanding he kill the long-standing “blue slip” tradition that lets home-state senators block federal judicial nominees. In a series of reposts, Trump labeled Grassley a “RINO,” called him “sneaky,” and even reposted someone urging followers to “light up Grassley’s office.” He also claimed he “got Grassley reelected” and said the senator could end the blue slip policy “with a mere flick of a pen.”
Grassley, clearly shaken, fired back: “I was surprised to see President Trump on Truth Social go after me and Senate Republicans over what we call the blue slip. I was offended by what the president said, and I’m disappointed it would result in personal insults.”
That didn’t sit well with his Senate colleagues, who came to his defense quickly and forcefully.
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) didn’t mince words: “Chuck is beloved in our conference… The president’s staff have a bad habit of advising him that was a good idea.”
Tillis, who’s also felt the heat from Trump recently, warned that removing blue slips would only make Senate gridlock worse. “It was a bad idea,” he said, adding, “He’s got staff giving him bad advice.”
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) said Grassley was “a little bit offended at the tone, and that’s not right.” She backed Grassley’s stance and added, “I’m a defender of the blue slip.”
One unnamed Republican senator said Trump’s attacks “crossed the line” and that it “was really the talk of the floor last night.” The senator added, “There’s a lot of desire to see Chuck Grassley treated correctly.”
Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), normally a strong Trump backer, told Trump directly to knock it off: “Pretty please, with sugar on top, back off this, because I don’t think the Senate’s going to go along, and I think it’s just a needless fight.”
Even Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), one of Trump’s most loyal supporters, pushed back. “It happens on both sides,” he said. “We were able to block some bad judges last time with a blue slip.”
Senate GOP leader John Thune (R-S.D.) also stood firm with Grassley: “I don’t think there’s any strong interest in changing that up here.”
Republicans say the blue slip rule helps maintain bipartisan cooperation, especially when it comes to local federal judges. Grassley has stuck with the tradition, even when it frustrated Democrats under Trump. Now, his colleagues say, it’s wrong for Trump to turn on him over it.
And despite Grassley’s loyalty — he helped confirm some of Trump’s most controversial nominees — Trump still turned his fire on him.
“It is what it is — it’s why the Senate works,” Tuberville said.
Trump’s social media pressure tactics may fire up his base, but they’re wearing thin inside the Senate.
