President Donald Trump didn’t hold back this week, and a hot mic captured more than he intended. On December 8, he unveiled a $12 million support package aimed at helping farmers struggling with ongoing trade instability.

Trump was joined at a White House roundtable by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, and other industry figures to discuss tariffs and trade policy concerns.

While the meeting focused on agriculture, what drew the most attention online were Trump’s comments after the press was asked to leave. A hot mic picked up his frustration over federal appointments, including the phrase “blue slip.”

“I can’t appoint anybody,” Trump was heard saying, noting that many of his appointees’ terms were expiring and leaving key roles unfilled.

The remarks came shortly after his former lawyer, Alina Habba, announced her resignation as U.S. Attorney for New Jersey following a court ruling that she had been serving unlawfully.

Trump criticized the Senate’s use of “blue slips,” a tradition allowing home-state senators to approve or block nominees. He called the process “horrible” and blamed it for delays in filling essential positions.

He suggested that the system makes appointments nearly impossible, warning he may have to rely on temporary officials repeatedly. “We’re losing a lot of great people,” he said, expressing frustration over the ongoing gridlock.

Footage of Trump yelling about “blue slips” circulated online, highlighting his anger and concern about stalled federal appointments, as the press left the event. The comments fueled discussion about the challenges of staffing key government roles.