Murkowski Opposes Blanche for Attorney General, Confirmation in Jeopardy
Sen. Lisa Murkowski will vote against Todd Blanche's confirmation as attorney general, citing concerns about his independence from the White House.
Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski announced Friday that she will vote against confirming Todd Blanche as attorney general, casting doubt on the nomination of President Donald Trump's pick to lead the Justice Department.
In a statement, Murkowski said she is concerned that the Trump administration could still pursue a proposed $1.8 billion fund to compensate individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol riot, despite Blanche issuing a formal order to terminate it. She also expressed broader doubts about his ability to lead an independent Justice Department.
"The country needs an Attorney General who will check the worst impulses of this administration," Murkowski said. "I hope Mr. Blanche is able to achieve that, if confirmed, but I simply do not have confidence that will be the case."
Murkowski's opposition places Blanche's confirmation on the brink of failure. With Republicans holding a 53-47 majority in the Senate, he can afford to lose only a few votes. Murkowski joins Senator Susan Collins of Maine in opposing the nomination, and Senator Mitch McConnell has been absent due to health issues. This leaves Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana as a potentially decisive vote, as all Democrats are expected to oppose Blanche.
President Trump, in an interview with Punchbowl News, acknowledged the political realities but said he would leave Blanche in his current role as acting attorney general even if the nomination fails. "It'll be very sad," Trump said, "but we'll all survive. Todd will survive."
Trump described Blanche as "fair" and "not a radical flamethrower," but he singled out Murkowski and Cassidy as critics, noting their votes to convict him on impeachment charges in 2021. "You do what you have to do," Trump said. "Just so you understand, they voted to impeach me. ... In all fairness, you think that I'm going to support somebody that voted to impeach me?"
Murkowski, who complimented Blanche personally after private meetings, said she simply lacks confidence in his ability to serve independently under the current president.