Murkowski will oppose Blanche nomination, narrowing his path to confirmation
Senator Lisa Murkowski has announced her opposition to the nomination of Blanche for Attorney General, citing concerns over presidential immunity and the politicization of the Justice Department. Her vote complicates the confirmation process for the Trump administration nominee.
Why it matters
The loss of a key Republican vote narrows the path for the administration's judicial and executive appointments.
President Trump's nominee for attorney general is facing a narrower path to confirmation after Sen. Lisa Murkowski announced she will vote against his nomination.
"The country needs an Attorney General who will check the worst impulses of this administration," the Alaska Republican said in a statement on X on Friday. "I hope Mr. Blanche is able to achieve that, if confirmed, but I simply do not have confidence that will be the case."
Murkowski said she has concerns about the "sweeping immunity protections granted to the president" and what she called the "politicization—even weaponization" of the Department of Justice.
She said another factor in her decision was the anti-weaponization fund , which the Trump administration initially said would be available to those who allege wrongdoing by the federal government. Blanche told members of Congress in June that the controversial fund was scrapped , and formally rescinded it earlier this week.
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