Senate Republicans are rapidly advancing President Donald Trump’s judicial nominees, recently confirming six more judges. This effort is part of a concerted strategy to expedite confirmations while the GOP controls the chamber. Since the start of Trump’s second term, 33 judges have been confirmed, a pace surpassing the early phase of his first presidency.

Concurrently, an internal Republican debate centers on the “blue slip” tradition. This practice lets home-state senators block judicial nominees. Trump and certain allies contend it unfairly enables Democratic obstruction, slowing appointments to key judicial and U.S. attorney roles.

However, some Republicans, including Senator Thom Tillis, oppose eliminating blue slips. They warn it would erode minority-party rights—a tool Republicans may need if Democrats regain the Senate majority. Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley has defended the century-old tradition as widely supported.

Historical confirmation rates offer perspective. In Trump’s first year, only 19 Article III judges were confirmed. President Joe Biden secured 42 confirmations in his first year. It is unclear if Trump’s second term will exceed his first-term total of 234 judges.

Trump’s frustration with the practice grew after it stalled nominees like Alina Habba. While Grassley changed rules in 2017 to bypass blue slips for circuit court judges, he believes the tradition requires no current revision.

The broader push is exemplified by a recent confirmation. The Senate approved Nicholas Ganjei for a lifetime federal judgeship in Houston by a 51–45 vote. Ganjei, a former U.S. attorney, was endorsed by Trump for his views on immigration and law and order.

This sustained effort underscores the GOP’s focus on durably shaping the federal judiciary through swift confirmations, even amid internal procedural debates.