Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski said Friday she will oppose Todd Blanche’s nomination as attorney general, narrowing the confirmation path for President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Justice Department.
The Alaska senator, who joins GOP Sen. Susan Collins of Maine in opposing Blanche, cited the Justice Department’s handling of files related to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, a sweeping tax audit immunity deal for Trump and a proposed $1.8 billion fund meant to compensate the Republican president’s allies.
“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,” Murkowski said.
Murkowski said she is concerned the Trump administration could proceed with its proposed fund to compensate people who believe they were unfairly investigated or prosecuted by the Justice Department even after Blanche formally rescinded it. Murkowski said the Senate has leverage over the fund only because Blanche’s nomination is pending.
“Once we vote, that will end, and there is no telling what the future holds,” she said.
