Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) was a major player in the bombshell allegation against Judge Brett Kavanaugh that resulted in one of the most unfortunate Supreme Court confirmation hearings in recent memory. Now, she's dumbfounded as to why President Trump is so resistant to her suggestions for the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.
The decision to move forward on 9th Circuit nominees without consultation or responding to my acceptance of the White House’s offer reflects President Trump’s desire to stack the court. I expect my blue slips to be honored as I was acting in good faith. https://t.co/7EYWmi7V0k
— Sen Dianne Feinstein (@SenFeinstein) October 11, 2018
“I repeatedly told the White House I wanted to reach an agreement on a package of 9th Circuit nominees, but last night the White House moved forward without consulting me, picking controversial candidates from its initial list and another individual with no judicial experience who had not previously been suggested.
“I met with Don McGahn on June 27 to discuss the vacancies and explained that Senator Harris and I strongly opposed Daniel Collins. I also told him Kenneth Lee had problems because he failed to disclose to our judicial selection committees controversial writings on voting rights and affirmative action.
“Last week, a reporter contacted my office stating that multiple sources close to the White House said I had rejected an offer that included Lucy Koh, James Rogan and Daniel Collins. This was false; no offer had been made or rejected—either formally or informally. In fact, as soon as I learned from the reporter about this alleged package I immediately wrote to Don McGahn saying I would accept this White House proposal of Lucy Koh, James Rogan and a third nominee from the White House’s list. There was no response to my letter.
“The decision to move forward with these nominees without consultation or responding to my acceptance of the White House offer reflects President Trump’s desire to remake the court. I expect my blue slips to be honored as I was acting in good faith.”
Feinstein demanded that Trump at least consider her candidates, because she was acting in "good faith."
Surely she knows that Trump, Grassley, and other Republicans will not soon forget the way Feinstein led the Democrats' war on Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. It all started when Feinstein received that now infamous letter from Dr. Christine Blasey Ford back in July. Ford claimed that Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her when they were both in high school. Feinstein did not notify Chairman Chuck Grassley of the letter for weeks. It was leaked a few weeks ago, resulting in two of the most contentious weeks we've ever seen in Washington, as leading lawmakers suggested Kavanaugh was a rapist, he was "evil," and worse. Feinstein insists she was not the leaker, but Republicans in Congress are investigating her office anyway.
One can only wonder why Trump would hesitate to take her advice.
Furthermore, as Hot Air's Ed Morrissey points out, Grassley made it pretty clear last year that blue slips are merely a courtesy.
"The blue slip serves the important purpose of encouraging consultation between the White House and the Senate," he said. "The White House has an obligation to engage in good-faith consultation with home-state senators. I won’t allow the White House to just steamroll home-state senators. But, as I’ve said all along, I won’t allow the blue slip process to be abused."
Join the conversation as a VIP Member