Another RINO is getting hammered back home after opening defying President Trump again.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, announced last week that she will oppose the confirmation of Todd Blanche as attorney general, delivering another setback to President Donald Trump’s administration as the nomination heads toward a potentially difficult Senate vote.
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Murkowski, one of the Republican Party’s most frequent dissenters on major issues involving Trump, said she held several “constructive meetings” with Blanche and described him as “decent and capable.”
However, she said she could not support his nomination because of concerns over what she called the “politicization—even weaponization—of the Department” under the current administration.
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Blanche, Trump’s former personal defense attorney, has served as acting attorney general since April and was selected to permanently lead the Justice Department after Trump removed former Attorney General Pam Bondi.
He was finally confirmed by the Senate along a mostly party line vote. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, another ‘moderate’ Republican, also voted no with Democrats.
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In explaining her opposition, Murkowski cited several controversies involving the Justice Department, including the handling of records related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, immunity protections involving the president, his family, and affiliated businesses, and comments made to anti-abortion organizations.
She also criticized the department’s nearly $2 billion “anti-weaponization” fund, arguing the program raised concerns about how the money could be used once the Senate confirms Blanche.
“The country needs an Attorney General who will check the worst impulses of this administration,” Murkowski said, adding that while she hoped Blanche would provide that check if confirmed, she did not have confidence that he would.
She said that with a straight face, however, knowing that every member of an administration, including the attorney general, works on behalf of, and at the pleasure of, the president.
Murkowski’s opposition complicated Blanche’s confirmation prospects in a narrowly divided Senate. Republicans hold a 53-47 majority, but Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., remains sidelined by health issues, and Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, has already announced she will vote against the nomination.
With Democrats expected to unanimously oppose Blanche, another Republican defection could jeopardize his confirmation. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., has remained undecided.
Blanche’s nomination advanced through the Senate Judiciary Committee previously on a 12-10 party-line vote after he pledged to eliminate the controversial anti-weaponization fund.
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Supporters have argued Blanche would help reverse what conservatives describe as years of politically motivated actions within federal law enforcement agencies.
Murkowski’s decision follows a long pattern of breaking with Republican leadership on high-profile issues. She has frequently drawn criticism from conservative activists in Alaska for opposing Trump-backed positions.
The announcement also comes as Murkowski faces difficult political headwinds heading into the final years of her Senate term.
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Recent polling has shown declining approval ratings among Alaska voters, with critics arguing that her willingness to cross party lines has weakened her standing with the state’s Republican base.
Murkowski won reelection in 2022 under Alaska’s ranked-choice voting system after defeating Republican challenger Kelly Tshibaka.
Her campaign benefited from support from outside groups, including a PAC aligned with Senate Republican leadership, a move that prompted criticism from the Alaska Republican Party.
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Her current term runs through 2028, but continued voter dissatisfaction could create challenges as she approaches the next election cycle.
The White House criticized Murkowski’s decision as “disappointing” while defending Blanche as highly qualified to serve as attorney general.
This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.
