The short version
- Senator Lisa Murkowski will vote against Todd Blanche’s nomination for attorney general, joining Susan Collins as the only Republicans currently opposed to the candidate.
- Murkowski cites lack of confidence that Blanche can restrain the administration, specifically pointing to a settlement involving tax audit immunity and a controversial compensation fund.
- With Senator Mitch McConnell absent from sessions, Blanche can afford only two Republican defections if all Democrats vote against him, making his confirmation mathematically precarious.
Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska announced on Friday that she will oppose the nomination of Todd Blanche to serve as attorney general. Her decision significantly narrows the margin for error in the Senate confirmation process for President Donald Trump’s choice to lead the Justice Department. By joining Maine Republican Susan Collins in her opposition, Murkowski has created a scenario where the nominee can withstand only two additional defections from his own party, assuming all Democratic senators vote against him.
The mathematical tightness of the situation is compounded by the absence of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who is not attending current sessions. Without his vote, the path to confirmation becomes exceptionally fragile. Another pivotal Republican, Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, has yet to declare his position. Cassidy lost his primary election after Trump endorsed his opponent, leaving his loyalty to the administration’s judicial picks uncertain and adding another layer of unpredictability to the final tally.
Murkowski stated that she lacks confidence in Blanche’s ability to check what she described as the worst impulses of the current administration. She emphasized that the nation requires an attorney general capable of providing institutional restraint. While she expressed hope that Blanche might achieve this balance if confirmed, her public statement made clear that she does not believe he will fulfill that role. Her opposition injects fresh uncertainty into a nomination that had already faced significant hurdles.
Central to Murkowski’s concerns is the Justice Department’s handling of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier. She also pointed to a sweeping agreement that grants tax audit immunity to Trump and his family members. Additionally, she cited a proposed $1.8 billion fund intended to compensate individuals who believe they were mistreated by the criminal justice system. These issues collectively shaped her view that Blanche cannot be trusted to maintain appropriate boundaries within the department.
The nomination had previously cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee only after a last-minute deal was struck with Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina. Both lawmakers had threatened to block the confirmation over aspects of the settlement involving the compensation fund. Under the agreement, Blanche formally rescinded the so-called Anti-Weaponization Fund, issuing an order stating that no such fund exists. This concession was necessary to secure their support and move the nomination forward.
Despite these assurances, Democrats argue that Blanche’s executive order does not permanently prevent the Trump administration from reviving the fund after confirmation. They have called for legislation to bar the fund entirely, noting that the Senate’s leverage over the issue exists only while the nomination is pending. Murkowski echoed this concern, warning that once the vote concludes, the ability to influence the fund’s fate will disappear, leaving the future of the program uncertain.
Legal experts and lawmakers have also questioned the lawfulness of the tax protections granted to Trump. A federal judge overseeing the IRS case characterized the lawsuit as an improper exercise in self-dealing. The union representing IRS workers recently asked another judge to block the immunity agreement. While the Justice Department clarified that the immunity applies only to claims open at the time of the settlement and does not cover future filings, critics remain skeptical about the scope and intent of the protections.
Blanche previously served as Trump’s criminal defense lawyer before entering the department last year as deputy attorney general. He assumed the top post in an acting capacity after Pam Bondi was ousted in April. If his nomination fails, he could continue to run the department either as acting attorney general or in his deputy role. However, a rejection would constitute a major political blow for the Trump administration, signaling deep fractures within the Republican Senate caucus regarding judicial appointments and executive authority.
The debate over Blanche’s confirmation highlights broader tensions between legislative oversight and executive power. With key Republicans divided and Democrats united in opposition, the final vote will test the limits of party discipline. The outcome will likely influence how future administrations approach similar settlements and nominations, setting a precedent for the balance of power between the Justice Department and the White House.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- NPR↗Murkowski will oppose Blanche nomination, narrowing his path to confirmation
- PBS NewsHour↗Blanche's attorney general confirmation is in doubt as GOP Sen. Murkowski opposes his nomination
