January 1, Trump’s Virginia Pick Sparks Senate Showdown

Wyatt’s Take

• Trump taps longtime ally Lindsey Halligan for key prosecutor post.
• Virginia Democrats may block the nomination with Senate ‘blue slips.’
• Political fights loom over experience, tradition, and control.

President Trump has chosen his trusted attorney, Lindsey Halligan, to serve as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia after removing Erik Siebert for not going after a political rival. Halligan’s appointment now faces scrutiny because confirmation requires approval from Virginia’s two Democratic senators, who can use a Senate rule called the ‘blue slip’ to stall the process.

Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner have voiced concern over Halligan’s lack of prosecutorial background, but haven’t said if they’ll block her. Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley stands by the blue slip tradition, saying it’s an important part of checks and balances.

Trump defended his pick on social media, calling Halligan loyal and battle-tested from defending him during the Mar-a-Lago raid.

“She will be Fair, Smart, and will provide, desperately needed, JUSTICE FOR ALL!” Trump posted online.

Halligan can work in the job for 120 days without Senate confirmation, giving the White House some breathing room as this nomination fight plays out.

This move puts the spotlight on old Senate customs and continues the fight between the White House and Senate over who truly controls important federal appointments.

Keep an eye on this fight — it signals a bigger debate over whether experience or loyalty matters most in top jobs.

Wyatt Matters

This story is about whether the political insiders or everyday Americans get a fair deal from government. Middle America wants positions filled by folks who put the country and justice first—not just who’s in with the Washington elite.

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