Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) announced Friday she will oppose the confirmation of acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, becoming the second Republican senator to break ranks and throwing his nomination into serious jeopardy. With Democrats unified in opposition, just one more GOP "no" vote would sink or indefinitely stall Blanche's bid to lead the Justice Department.
Murkowski said she held "numerous constructive meetings" with Blanche and appreciated his recent trip to Alaska to learn about law-enforcement challenges in remote communities. But she voiced deep reservations about whether he would serve as a meaningful check on President Trump while overseeing the DOJ.
"The politicization — even weaponization — of the Department did not start with this administration but has accelerated during it," Murkowski said in a statement. She cited the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, sweeping immunity protections extended to the president and his family, statements made to anti-abortion groups, and "repeated targeting of individuals ranging from former administration staff to sitting U.S. Senators."
The Alaska senator also raised alarms about a nearly $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund that she said could reward January 6 participants. "I am also keenly aware that the Department's nearly $2-billion dollar slush fund — which likely would have rewarded January 6 protesters — is only off the table because this nomination is pending and the Senate has leverage," she said. "Once we vote, that will end, and there is no telling what the future holds."
Murkowski argued the nation needs a chief law enforcement officer who will "check the worst impulses of this administration," but said she lacks confidence Blanche would do so. "I hope Mr. Blanche is able to achieve that, if confirmed, but I simply do not have confidence that will be the case," she added.
Her announcement follows Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), who said earlier this week she would oppose Blanche. Collins called Blanche "a capable lawyer" but warned that the DOJ under his leadership has "become increasingly political." She cited his role in approving an order shielding Trump and his family from IRS audits, his support for the $1.776 billion compensation fund, and his pledge to an anti-abortion group to restrict mailing of abortion medication. Collins also criticized federal prosecutors' efforts to indict Sens. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) over a video urging service members to resist unlawful orders.
With Murkowski and Collins opposed, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) can afford only one more GOP defection. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) remains absent after a fall last month, leaving Thune with an effective 52-seat majority. All 47 Senate Democrats are expected to vote against Blanche.
The remaining undecided Republican is Sen. Bill Cassidy (La.), who has clashed with Trump on issues including the compensation fund and congressional oversight of the war with Iran. Cassidy met with his staff Thursday to discuss the nomination and met with Blanche earlier in the week, but has declined to reveal his lean.
The Senate is expected to vote Friday or over the weekend on a procedural motion to advance Blanche to a final confirmation vote. The outcome could hinge on Cassidy's decision, with high stakes for the DOJ's independence and the administration's legal agenda. For more on the broader confirmation fight, see the latest GOP hurdles and Democratic concerns about the fund deal.
