Once again, Todd Blanche’s nomination to serve as the new attorney general is at risk due to President Donald Trump’s strained relationship with Republican senators.
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Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) made it clear on Friday morning that she’s a “no” on Blanche. The decision was announced after an interview was released of Trump in which he attacked the Alaska Republican.
“I have had numerous constructive meetings with Mr. Blanche and he comes across as decent and capable,” wrote Murkowski on X. “I appreciate the trip he made to learn more about Alaska, including our rural areas, and 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 politicization — even weaponization — of the Department did not start with this administration but has accelerated during it.”
She said she also took issue with the handling of the investigation files for Jeffrey Epstein.
She also said she has concerns about “the sweeping immunity protections granted to the President, his family, and their businesses; the statements that have been made to anti-abortion groups; and the repeated targeting of individuals ranging from former administration staff to sitting U.S. senators.”
In an interview with Punchbowl News’ Jake Sherman, Trump spent a lot of time bashing Murkowski.
“So, Murkowski, I was against,” Trump told Sherman. “Yeah, I’m against Murkowski. I think she’s — I do more for Alaska than any, any president in history. No president’s done for Alaska I’ve done. She’s uh she’s not good.”
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Murkowski’s decision outs one more undecided lawmaker at the center of the firestorm.
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) lost his primary in May after Trump supported Cassidy’s Republican opponent in the GOP primary.
“It’s all on Cassidy now, absent a miracle appearance by [Mitch] McConnell,” NOTUS reporter Igor Bobic wrote on X.
“All eyes now turn to Sen. Bill Cassidy, the final GOP holdout,” Punchbowl News’ Laura Weiss agreed. “His vote determines whether Blanche can be confirmed before August recess.”
Sherman, in his interview with Trump, asked the president if he regrets going up against many of these Republicans because it’s making the Trump agenda harder to pass.
“Look, I don’t regret it. You do what you have to do,” Trump said. “And just so you understand, they voted to impeach me.”
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