Todd Blanche’s Nomination at Risk as Lisa Murkowski Announces Her Opposition

The path for Todd Blanche to be confirmed as Attorney General got even steeper as Senator Lisa Murkowski says she will oppose his nomination, meaning he cannot lose another vote. Mr. Blanche initially appeared to be on track to be confirmed. But his path to becoming the attorney general became murkier earlier this week after Senator Susan Collins, who is facing a tough re-election battle, said she would not support his nomination. With Senator Mitch McConnell still absent after an extended hospital stay, Mr. Blanche could only afford to lose two Republican senators, assuming every Democrat votes against his confirmation.On Friday, Senator Lisa Murkowski announced that she will not vote for Mr. Blanche’s nomination, leaving his path to confirmation hanging by a thread. Her announcement means that Mr. Blanche’s future will most likely be determined by Senator Bill Cassidy — who had not said how he will vote as of Friday morning. In a post on X, Ms. Murkowski wrote that she had “numerous constructive meetings with Mr. Blanche” and that he “comes across as decent and capable.” She said that as acting attorney general, he has made “several noteworthy decisions that will benefit our state and the nation.”“Ultimately, however, I will oppose his nomination,” the Alaska senator said. “The politicization—even weaponization—of the Department did not start with this administration but has accelerated during it.”Ms. Murkowski said she takes issue with the way the Justice Department has handled the release of the Epstein files, the “sweeping immunity protections” for President Trump, and statements Mr. Blanche made to groups that oppose abortion access.Mr. Blanche told a group of faith leaders last week that he is working “hand-in-hand” with the White House and other federal agencies to “get permanent solutions” so that the Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade “becomes permanent in every single state.” He also signaled that the Justice Department is preparing restrictions on the shipment of abortion pills. Ms. Murkowski also raised concerns that the controversial so-called anti-weaponization fund is “only off the table” because Mr. Blanche is trying to get confirmed. “Once we vote, that will end, and there is no telling what the future holds,” Ms. Murkowski said. “The country needs an Attorney General who will check the worst impulses of this administration. I hope Mr. Blanche is able to achieve that, if confirmed, but I simply do not have confidence that will be the case.” Mr. Blanche can still be confirmed if Mr. Cassidy votes in favor of his nomination.Mr. Cassidy, who lost his primary to a Trump-backed challenger, has also criticized the “anti-weaponization fund” and at times clashed with the president. In June, the senator said he “raised his volume” and lost his temper during a meeting with Mr. Trump over the Iran war during an exchange about his decision to back a resolution to stop the war.After the contentious exchange, Mr. Cassidy said he received a private briefing on the war that addressed “many” of his concerns and he withdrew his support for the war powers resolution. Mr. Cassidy has voted for controversial Trump nominees. Last year, he cast the decisive vote for Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination to be the secretary of Health and Human Services.The outgoing Louisiana senator told reporters on Thursday that he had “no comment on Blanche.” The Senate was expected to vote on Mr. Blanche’s nomination by the end of this week before senators leave for their August recess. However, the Washington Post notes that the vote may be delayed if Republican leadership has doubts about whether there are enough votes for his confirmation.

Todd Blanche’s Nomination at Risk as Lisa Murkowski Announces Her Opposition

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