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Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) on Friday became the second Republican senator to announce she will vote against acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s nomination to serve in the role full-time, putting his confirmation on a knife’s edge as one more “no” vote could sink or delay it.
Murkowski said she had “numerous constructive meetings with Blanche” and expressed appreciation for the trip he took to Alaska last month to learn about the law-enforcement challenges faced by remote communities. Still, the Republican questioned whether he would serve as an effective check on President Trump while leading the Justice Department (DOJ).
“The politicization — even weaponization — of the Department did not start with this administration but has accelerated during it. I take issue with the handling of the release of the [Jeffrey] 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 senator also raised concerns about whether Blanche would continue to oppose the establishment of a nearly $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund to compensate MAGA allies once he is confirmed.
“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 that the nation needs a chief law enforcement officer to “check the worst impulses of this administration” and questioned whether Blanche would do that.
“I hope Mr. Blanche is able to achieve that, if confirmed, but I simply do not have confidence that will be the case,” the Alaska Republican added.
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), who faces a tough reelection race in November, announced earlier this week that she would vote against Blanche.
Collins called the acting attorney general “a capable lawyer” but warned that the DOJ under his leadership has “become increasingly political.”
She added that Blanche’s actions during his tenure as deputy attorney general “further eroded the department’s independence” and cited that as “the basis for my vote to oppose his confirmation.”
The Maine senator also noted that he approved the order to shield Trump, his sons and the Trump Organization from IRS audits, sweeping immunity “unavailable to other American taxpayers,” and cited his role in approving the $1.776 billion “anti-weaponization” fund.
Collins then raised issues with Blanche’s pledge to an anti-abortion organization that he would seek to prohibit the mailing of abortion medication to women nationwide.
And she criticized federal prosecutors’ efforts under his leadership to indict Sens. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) over a video they produced urging U.S. service members to resist unlawful orders.
Murkowski’s and Collin’s opposition to Blanche’s nomination means that Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) can afford only one more GOP defection and still confirm Blanche. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) remains absent from the Senate after suffering a fall last month.
While McConnell is away, Thune has an effective majority of 52 seats and all 47 members of the Senate Democratic caucus are expected to oppose Blanche.
The one remaining undecided Republican is Sen. Bill Cassidy (La.), who has clashed with Trump over several high-profile issues recently, including the proposed compensation fund and congressional oversight of the war with Iran.
Cassidy met with his staff on Thursday to discuss Blanche’s nomination and he met with him earlier in the week in the basement of the Capitol. So far, however, the senator has declined to comment on how he might vote.
The Senate is expected to vote Friday or sometime over the weekend on a procedural motion to advance Blanche to a final confirmation vote.
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