Senator Murkowski says she will oppose Trump’s attorney-general pick Todd Blanche

Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) said she will oppose President Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general, Todd Blanche, warning that the Justice Department has become increasingly politicised under the current administration. Murkowski posted on X that the “politicization – even weaponization – of the Department did not start with this administration but has accelerated during it.”

She added that the country needs an attorney general who can “check the worst impulses of this administration,” and expressed doubt that Blanche would fulfill that role if confirmed.

The White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the decision was “disappointing,” noting the administration’s work for Alaska. Trump told Punchbowl News that he believes Blanche “will survive” the confirmation process and indicated he would keep him as acting attorney general if the Senate rejects the nomination.

Murkowski’s opposition references several controversies linked to Blanche’s interim leadership, including the handling of the Epstein files and a proposed $2 billion “anti-weaponisation fund” intended to compensate individuals claiming government persecution. Critics, including Murkowski, feared the fund could benefit those prosecuted for the Jan. 6 Capitol attack. Blanche has previously said he would roll back the fund after pushback from Republican senators.

Blanche, who has served as acting attorney general since April after the dismissal of Pam Bondi, was previously deputy attorney general.