Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski said in a statement Thursday that she will “oppose” President Donald Trump's nomination of Todd Blanche for attorney general, becoming the second Republican senator to announce opposition and further narrowing Blanche's path to confirmation.
Murkowski said she had "numerous constructive meetings" with Blanche and described him as "decent and capable." She also praised his efforts to learn about Alaska and said that, as acting attorney general, he had made "several noteworthy decisions" that would benefit the state and the nation.
"Ultimately, however, I will oppose his nomination," Murkowski said in a statement, citing concerns about what she described as the politicization and "weaponization" of the Justice Department.
"The politicization -- even weaponization -- of the Department did not start with this administration but has accelerated during it," Murkowski said.
Among the issues she cited were the handling of the release of the Epstein files, what she called "sweeping immunity protections" granted to the president, his family and their businesses, statements made to anti-abortion groups, and what she described as the repeated targeting of individuals ranging from former administration staff to sitting U.S. senators.
"The country needs an Attorney General who will check the worst impulses of this administration," Murkowski added. "I hope Mr. Blanche is able to achieve that, if confirmed, but I simply do not have confidence that will be the case."
Murkowski's announcement follows opposition from Maine Sen. Susan Collins. If both senators ultimately vote against Blanche, Republicans could likely afford only one more defection, potentially making Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy's vote decisive.
Cassidy has also expressed reservations about the nomination but has not yet confirmed how he will vote.
While Murkowski said she would "oppose" Blanche's nomination, it remains unclear whether she will cast a "no" vote or use a procedural pairing arrangement with absent Sen. Mitch McConnell that would allow her not to vote while maintaining the balance of the Senate.