Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska announced early Friday her intention to vote against the confirmation of Todd Blanche for Attorney General, complicating the path for President Donald Trump’s nominee.
Despite several “constructive meetings” with Blanche, Murkowski determined she could not support the acting Attorney General’s nomination, stating that while the “politicization—even weaponization—of the [Justice] Department” did not start with the Trump Administration, it has “accelerated” during it.
“I take issue with the handling of the release of the Epstein files; the sweeping immunity protections granted to the President, his family, and their businesses; the statements that have been made to anti-abortion groups; and the repeated targeting of individuals ranging from former Administration staff to sitting U.S. Senators,” Murkowski said.
The Alaska lawmaker also factored in Trump’s planned “anti-weaponization” fund, citing she was aware it is “only off the table because this nomination is pending and the Senate has leverage.”
The fund has been a point of contention across party aisles due to concerns the payouts to those who the Trump Administration claims were unfairly persecuted by the government could extend to people who participated in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riots.
Blanche on Aug. 2 persuaded former GOP holdouts Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina to support his confirmation by assuring them, in writing, that the “anti-weaponization” fund had been rescinded.
But for Murkowski, it was not enough to sway her vote.
“I will oppose his nomination,” she said. “The country needs an Attorney General who will check the worst impulses of this Administration. I hope Mr. Blanche is able to achieve that, if confirmed, but I simply do not have confidence that will be the case.”
Murkowski joins GOP Sen. Susan Collins of Maine in opposing Blanche’s nomination, making the path to confirmation increasingly difficult in a Senate where Republicans hold a slim 53-47 majority.
Collins released a similar statement Tuesday, saying that while she views Blanche as a “capable lawyer,” she is concerned the DOJ “has become increasingly political” and believes Blanche himself has “taken several actions that have further eroded the Department’s independence.”
Both Murkowski and Collins, who is facing a tough re-election race in the November midterms, have often broken ranks with the President. In recent weeks, they have voted to limit Trump’s ability to continue the Iran war without congressional authorization.
Trump did not immediately comment on Murkowski's announcement, but he had criticized the Senator just the day before.
“I am against Murkowski,” he said in an interview, when asked about the possibility of the lawmaker opposing his nominee. “I do more for Alaska than any President in history. No President has done for Alaska what I've done. She's not good.”
The Republican margin is further complicated by the weeks-long absence of Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell, who remains away from public duties as he recovers from a hospital stay prompted by a fall.
Blanche’s fate could now rest heavily on how Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana votes. Cassidy lost his re-election primary in May to a Trump-backed candidate.
A Senate rejection would be a blow to Trump’s efforts to fill his Cabinet with members of his inner circle—Blanche formerly served as the President’s personal attorney.
Trump, however, said last week he would have “no objection” to withdrawing Blanche’s nomination and keeping him in his current position as acting Attorney General—an alternative route he reiterated on Thursday.
Blanche also remains the department’s Senate-confirmed No. 2 official, having already been approved as Deputy Attorney General.
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