Why It Matters
The confirmation of Todd Blanche as U.S. Attorney General now faces serious arithmetic challenges in the Senate after Alaska Republican Lisa Murkowski announced Friday she will vote against his nomination. With several Republicans already signaling opposition, Senate Majority Leader John Thune has yet to schedule a floor vote.
What Happened
Murkowski made her opposition public Friday morning, citing a range of concerns about the Justice Department’s direction under Blanche’s leadership. She pointed specifically to the DOJ’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, the creation of a fund to compensate alleged victims of politically motivated prosecutions, proposed IRS immunity arrangements for President Trump and members of his family, statements made to anti-abortion groups, and what she described as the targeting of former staff and sitting senators.
Murkowski told reporters, as first reported by the Missouri Independent, that “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.”
Blanche has served as acting Attorney General since the start of Trump’s second term and previously held the No. 2 position at the department. The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced his nomination on a party-line vote earlier this week.
The Vote Math
Republicans hold a Senate majority, and approximately 49 members of the conference are expected to back Blanche. However, the path to confirmation is complicated by multiple defections and absences.
Maine Republican Susan Collins has also announced she will vote against Blanche. Kentucky Republican Mitch McConnell is away from Washington recovering from a fall, meaning his vote is uncertain. Louisiana Republican Bill Cassidy — who lost his primary earlier this year after Trump endorsed a challenger against him — remains the last undeclared Republican holdout.
On the Democratic side, Arizona Representative Ruben Gallego indicated he would return to Washington to cast a vote, presumably in opposition to the nomination.
By the Numbers
- 49 — Senate Republicans currently expected to support Blanche’s confirmation
- ~$1.8 billion — the size of a proposed fund for alleged victims of political prosecutions, which Blanche addressed in a written memo
- ~$2 billion — what Murkowski characterized as a DOJ “slush fund” in her statement of opposition
- 2 — Republican senators publicly committed to voting no: Murkowski and Collins
- 1 — Republican senator still undecided: Cassidy
The Memo and Republican Reassurances
Earlier this month, Blanche issued a written memo indicating that the compensation fund for political-prosecution victims and an IRS immunity arrangement benefiting Trump and his family would not proceed. That memo helped secure support from two previously hesitant Republicans — Thom Tillis of North Carolina and John Cornyn of Texas — who announced their backing shortly after it was released.
President Trump responded to Murkowski’s announcement with pointed criticism, telling reporters, as first reported by the Missouri Independent: “I’m against Murkowski. I do more for Alaska than any president in history. No president’s done for Alaska what I’ve done. She’s not good.”
What’s Next
Senate Majority Leader John Thune has not announced a floor vote on the Blanche nomination, and the timing remains unclear as leadership works to secure the votes needed for confirmation. Cassidy’s decision is likely to be a deciding factor. McConnell’s absence adds further unpredictability to the final tally.
The confirmation battle comes amid broader tensions in Washington over congressional scheduling. Trump has separately pressured the Senate to remain in session until legislation on voter identification passes, adding to the legislative calendar’s complexity heading into the fall.
Murkowski has previously broken with her party on high-profile confirmation votes and has at times clashed with Trump administration priorities, including on energy development policy in Alaska. Whether her opposition on Blanche influences other undecided senators remains to be seen.