Murkowski's Opposition
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) announced Friday that she will vote against confirming Todd Blanche as attorney general, dealing a significant blow to the nomination. In a statement, Murkowski said she lacks confidence that Blanche would act independently of the Trump administration, expressing concern about the continued politicization and "weaponization" of the Justice Department. "The country needs an Attorney General who will check the worst impulses of this administration," she said, adding that she hopes Blanche could achieve that if confirmed but does not have confidence he will.[S1][S2]
Murkowski's decision follows Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), who also announced her opposition. With Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) absent due to illness and Democrats expected to vote no, Blanche can afford only one more Republican defection. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), who lost his primary after Trump backed his challenger, remains undecided, telling NBC News "No comment on Blanche" when asked how he'll vote.[S1][S4]
Concerns and Controversies
Murkowski cited several controversies during Blanche's tenure as acting attorney general, including the handling of the Epstein files and the proposed $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund, which she called a "slush fund." She also mentioned the sweeping immunity protections granted to the president, his family, and their businesses, and the repeated targeting of individuals. Blanche had previously pledged to rescind the fund after backlash from Republican senators, but Murkowski said it's "only off the table because this nomination is pending and the Senate has leverage."[S1][S3]
Blanche, who became acting attorney general in April after Pam Bondi was fired, has faced a bumpy confirmation process. Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) had withheld support over concerns about the fund and the Epstein case, but later backed him after receiving assurances. Blanche also met with Epstein survivors, though survivor Dani Bensky called the meeting "not productive." Democrats have denounced the Justice Department's failure to redact personal information about survivors.[S1][S4]
White House Response
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement that while Murkowski's decision is "not surprising," it is "disappointing," considering what the administration and the Justice Department have done for Alaska. Leavitt called Blanche "exceptionally qualified" and said he "should be confirmed." Trump, speaking to Punchbowl News on Thursday, said he believed Blanche "will survive" and that if he fails to secure confirmation, he would keep him in the position as acting attorney general.[S4]
