Hot Mic Catches Donald Trump Fuming Over Blue Slip Obstruction By Senate [WATCH]

President Trump sharply criticized Senate Republicans on Monday, accusing them of allowing Democratic senators to use the Senate’s “blue slip” tradition to block his nominees for key federal positions, as reported by The Gateway Pundit.

The comments came after his nominee for U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, Alina Habba, stepped down following a ruling by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.

Image Credit: Joe Tabacca – Shutterstock.com

Trump participated in a roundtable with farmers in the Cabinet Room earlier in the day. Following the meeting, he took questions from reporters, including one about Habba’s resignation.

Hours earlier, Habba announced she would leave the U.S. Attorney post after the Third Circuit upheld her disqualification.

She said she would remain in the Justice Department as Senior Advisor to the Attorney General for U.S. Attorneys. Attorney General Pam Bondi is expected to seek further review of the Third Circuit’s ruling.

During the press availability, Trump said Habba was not disqualified and instead blamed the Senate’s blue slip process for obstructing his nominees.

The blue slip custom allows home-state senators to approve or oppose nominees to federal judgeships and U.S. Attorney positions.

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“Well, she’s not disqualified. You got a ‘blue slip’ thing that is horrible… it makes it impossible to appoint a judge or a U.S. Attorney – and it’s a shame – and the Republicans should be ashamed of themselves that they allow this to go on,” Trump said.

Trump argued that Democratic senators have used the tradition to block nominees regardless of qualifications.

He added, “If I put up George Washington and Abraham Lincoln to be U.S. Attorney in New Jersey or to be U.S. Attorney… or in Virginia, where you have Democrat Senators, they will not approve them! And this gentlemen’s agreement that has lasted too long. It means you can’t appoint a Republican U.S. Attorney!”

He continued, “And we don’t play the same game with them, but they do!”

Trump singled out Senator Chuck Grassley’s role in maintaining the custom.

“All because Senator Grassley with his ‘blue slip’ stuff will not let anybody go by! And by the way, the Democrats have violated blue slip provision on numerous occasions,” he said.

After reporters left the room, a hot microphone captured Trump continuing his frustration over the issue.

“You know I can’t appoint anybody!” he said. “Everybody I’ve appointed, their time has expired! Then they’re in default, then we’re losing…”

NOW: HOT MIC catches President Trump RANTING that the Senate GOP is letting Democrats stonewall his US attorney appointees through the “blue slip” tradition pic.twitter.com/l48ORGfwnj

“You know I CAN’T appoint anybody! Everybody I’ve appointed, their TIME has EXPIRED! Then…

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) December 8, 2025

The resignation, ruling, and political fallout come as several of Trump’s nominations face delays, with the blue slip practice at the center of the dispute.

Habba will continue working within the Justice Department while the administration weighs next steps regarding the New Jersey position.

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