https://www.justice.gov/dag, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
By KLZ Radio
WASHINGTON (KLZ Radio) — Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska announced Friday that she will oppose President Donald Trump’s nomination of Todd Blanche to serve permanently as attorney general, leaving the confirmation battle balanced on a razor-thin margin.
Murkowski said she had held constructive meetings with Blanche and described him as “decent and capable.” But in a statement explaining her decision, she said she lacked confidence that he would restrain what she views as the increasing politicization of the Justice Department.
“Ultimately, however, I will oppose his nomination,” Murkowski said.
Her announcement makes her the second Republican to oppose Blanche, joining Maine Sen. Susan Collins. With Republicans holding a narrow Senate majority, Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy’s undeclared position and uncertainty surrounding Sen. Mitch McConnell’s availability have left the outcome in doubt. Senate Majority Leader John Thune had not announced a final vote time as of Friday morning, Axios reported.
I have had numerous constructive meetings with Mr. Blanche and he comes across as decent and capable. I appreciate the trip he made to learn more about Alaska, including our rural areas, and as Acting Attorney General he has made several noteworthy decisions that will benefit our…
— Sen. Lisa Murkowski (@lisamurkowski) August 7, 2026
Blanche is the Senate-confirmed deputy attorney general and currently leads the Justice Department in an acting capacity. The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced his nomination on a 12-10 party-line vote Tuesday after a dispute among Republicans over a proposed $1.8 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund.”
The fund was tied to a settlement of Trump’s claims against the Internal Revenue Service and was described as a potential vehicle to compensate people who said they had been targeted by politically motivated prosecutions. Blanche formally rescinded the proposal, helping win the committee votes of Republican Sens. John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina.
The Justice Department also clarified that immunity protections connected to past tax claims involving Trump, his sons and the Trump Organization would not cover future filings. Those assurances moved the nomination out of committee, but they did not satisfy Murkowski.
The Alaska senator cited the department’s handling of Jeffrey Epstein-related records, protections granted in the tax settlement and concerns about whether Blanche would operate independently of the White House. Collins separately said the department had become increasingly political and that actions taken by Blanche had further weakened its independence.
Supporters argue that Blanche is an experienced attorney who has already been confirmed by the Senate for the department’s No. 2 position. Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley has praised his legal background and said Blanche would restore confidence in federal law enforcement.
Opponents say his service as Trump’s former defense attorney and his decisions in the administration create an unacceptable conflict between loyalty to the president and the attorney general’s obligation to enforce the law impartially.
The nomination now heads toward a full Senate vote with little room for error and no guarantee that Republican leaders have the votes to confirm him.
