Grassley Backs Trump’s Call to Skip August Recess, Push Judicial Nominees Past Democrat Obstruction

Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley is standing firm with President Trump in the fight to confirm judicial nominees amid relentless Democrat obstruction, signaling readiness to scrap the August recess if needed. In response to Trump’s urgent call last Saturday for Senate Majority Leader John Thune to keep the chamber in session and push through the backlog, Grassley declared on Sunday that he’s fully on board. With 135 nominees waiting in the wings, this move could deliver a major win for securing the judiciary against activist judges and restoring constitutional balance.

Trump’s message was clear: “Hopefully the very talented John Thune, fresh off our many victories over the past two weeks and, indeed, 6 months, will cancel August recess (and long weekends!), in order to get my incredible nominees confirmed. We need them badly!!! DJT.” Grassley, who has already advanced several key Trump picks through his committee, echoed the president’s frustration with Democrat stonewalling, emphasizing the need to work through the summer to overcome their delays.

Thune, while not fully committing yet, is seriously considering the option. Speaking to reporters last Monday, he said, “We’re thinking about it. We want to get as many nominees through the pipeline as we can.” He added that the team is exploring all avenues to advance the nominees before the break. In a Thursday interview on Fox News Radio’s “Brian Kilmeade Show,” Thune highlighted the historic level of resistance: “This is the first president in history who has never had, at this point in his presidency, a civilian nominee approved either by unanimous consent or voice vote in the Senate.” He vowed to confirm a substantial number before August and described the strategy as grinding down the opposition driven by anti-Trump fervor.

This push comes as Trump’s second term sees unprecedented Senate gridlock on nominations, far exceeding delays faced by previous administrations. According to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, as of July 1, 2025, there are over 60 judicial vacancies, with Trump’s nominees poised to fill critical seats on federal benches. Historical data from the Federal Judicial Center shows that in Trump’s first term, he confirmed a record 234 judges, including three Supreme Court justices, reshaping the courts for generations. The current backlog, fueled by Democrat tactics like forcing cloture votes on every nominee, underscores the urgency—each delay allows liberal holdovers to influence rulings on key issues like border security, Second Amendment rights, and election integrity.

Grassley’s support bolsters Thune’s position, potentially rallying the Republican majority to stay in Washington and deliver results. Canceling the recess would not only accelerate confirmations but also send a strong message that the Senate won’t tolerate sabotage of Trump’s agenda. As the clock ticks toward August, this could mark another victory in draining the swamp and ensuring judges who uphold the rule of law, not rewrite it.