Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) said she will oppose Todd Blanche’s nomination for Attorney General in a Friday morning social media post — teeing up the Trump administration to either court a senator whose career Trump ended or ask for the Senate to delay the vote until after Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) fully returns to work.
“I have had numerous constructive meetings with Mr. Blanche and he comes across as decent and capable. I appreciate the trip he made to learn more about Alaska, including our rural areas, … Ultimately, however, I will oppose his nomination,” Murkowski said in a post on X.
The Alaska senator said she takes “issue with the handling of the release of the Epstein files; 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.”
She added: “I am also keenly aware that the Department’s nearly $2-billion dollar slush fund—which likely would have rewarded January 6 protesters—is only off the table because this nomination is pending and the Senate has leverage. Once we vote, that will end, and there is no telling what the future holds.”
I have had numerous constructive meetings with Mr. Blanche and he comes across as decent and capable. 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…
— Sen. Lisa Murkowski (@lisamurkowski) August 7, 2026
Murkowski’s opposition comes as Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) announced earlier this week that she would not vote to confirm Blanche, pointing to similar reasons for her decision, including the promises he made to an anti-abortion group, vowing to target the online prescription and mailing of the abortion pill, mifepristone.
As TPM has reported, both Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) — the two senators whose votes Blanche needed to move his nomination out of committee — had sent a letter to Blanche in mid-July asking that he “stop the abortion industry’s unlawful and unsafe mail-order abortion drug practice.” Blanche made the promises to the anti-abortion group, it appears, while that committee vote was still in limbo.
But Blanche’s promise to roll back abortion access nationwide was bound to give both Collins and Murkowski pause. The two will occasionally break with the Republican Party on women’s rights and reproductive health issues.
So this leaves the Trump administration with two options: either try to court Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) or delay the vote until McConnell returns. Cassidy remains undecided thus far, but he has expressed concern about the Department of Justice potentially targeting the president’s perceived enemies. Cassidy has clashed with Trump over several big issues recently, including on the Iran war powers authorization vote. Trump also refused to endorse Cassidy in his recent reelection campaign, instead actively endorsing and campaigning for Cassidy’s challenger, which ultimately led to Cassidy losing his reelection bid.
The two GOP oppositions to Blanche — who has been serving as acting attorney general since April — puts his nomination at risk of stalling.
With McConnell absent due to illness and all Democrats opposing Blanche, Senate GOP leadership can’t afford anymore GOP votes against Blanche and may ultimately decide to delay the floor vote.
He ain’t gonna vote “No.” Don’t need to post a cat picture, because Cassidy’s a pussy.
Riiiiight. Uh huh. Sent home to continue “intensive physical therapy”. Either his supplemental Medicare policy has run out of days (they don’t send you home to do “intensive” PT) or he’s home for hospice.
All the articles about him going home have images of him in a wheelchair - but they are using pics from when he was wheeled off the Senate floor. Anyone living in his neighborhood with security cam video of the para-ambulance bringing him home?
I’ve received assurances from Blanche that he won’t engage in any activity that will negatively impact my net worth or immediate family, which is all I care about (and maybe not even that second part).