Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska announced on Friday that she will vote against the confirmation of Todd Blanche as attorney general. Her opposition creates a significant hurdle for President Trump’s nominee, as the administration seeks to secure leadership for the Justice Department.
In a statement released via social media, Murkowski expressed concerns regarding a proposed administration fund intended to compensate individuals involved in the January 6 riots. Although Blanche has issued a formal order terminating the initiative, Murkowski argued that the Senate’s current leverage over the fund exists only because the nomination remains pending. She warned that this oversight power would vanish entirely if Blanche is successfully confirmed.
Blanche previously secured a 12-10 victory in the Senate Judiciary Committee earlier this week, largely by assuring Republican holdouts that he would not pursue the controversial payout fund. Following extensive negotiations, he issued an order on Sunday evening confirming that no such fund exists. However, Democratic lawmakers argue that this administrative action is insufficient to prevent the Trump administration from reviving the project later, and they have pushed for legislation to permanently prohibit it.
The path to confirmation remains narrow. Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate, but with Senator Mitch McConnell currently absent due to hospitalization, Blanche can afford to lose no more than two Republican votes if the Democratic caucus remains united in opposition. Senator Susan Collins of Maine has already joined Murkowski in stating she will vote against the nomination. Conversely, Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana announced his support on Friday, providing a critical vote for the administration.
The nomination process has been marked by complex internal negotiations. Earlier, Blanche reached a deal with Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis to address concerns regarding the settlement of a lawsuit filed by President Trump against the Internal Revenue Service over leaked tax returns. The Justice Department confirmed in writing that it would not proceed with a $1.8 billion fund intended to compensate allies who claimed they were unfairly targeted by federal investigators.
President Trump responded to the news of Murkowski’s opposition during an interview with Punchbowl, stating he is firmly against the senator. He asserted that he has done more for Alaska than any previous president and suggested that his supporters would be displeased if he backed someone who had previously voted to impeach him. Despite the uncertainty surrounding his confirmation, Blanche is currently serving as acting attorney general and could remain in that capacity indefinitely even if the Senate rejects his nomination.
