Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) announced on Friday she will oppose the nomination of Todd Blanche for U.S. Attorney General. The decision by the Alaska Republican narrows the path for the nominee to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
Blanche currently serves as the acting attorney general and previously represented President Trump as his personal attorney starting in 2023. In that capacity, he defended the president against charges related to hush money payments, the 2020 election results, and the handling of classified documents.
In a statement released on X, Murkowski said the country requires an attorney general who will "check the worst impulses" of the administration. She expressed concern regarding "sweeping immunity protections" for the president and what she described as the "weaponization" of the Department of Justice. Murkowski also cited concerns about an "anti-weaponization fund," which she alleged would have rewarded January 6 protesters. Although Blanche formally rescinded the fund earlier this week, Murkowski stated she believes it was only withdrawn because the Senate currently holds leverage during the confirmation process.
For the American public, the outcome of this confirmation will determine the leadership of an agency that manages a multi-billion dollar budget. The "anti-weaponization fund" mentioned by Murkowski was valued at nearly $2 billion before being rescinded. The leadership at the DOJ influences federal investigations, the handling of classified materials, and the prosecution of federal crimes. Citizens would notice these effects through changes in federal law enforcement priorities and the department's stance on presidential immunity.
The opposition from Murkowski and Collins follows attempts by Blanche to secure support, including a trip to Alaska to meet with tribal and local leaders. Previously, GOP Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) had delayed a committee vote until receiving written confirmation on Aug. 2 that the administration's fund had been scrapped. The focus now shifts to Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) as the deciding vote. If the nomination fails, the administration would need to select a new candidate for the role of the nation's top law enforcement officer. No specific date for the final Senate floor vote was reported.