Murkowski will oppose Blanche nomination, narrowing his path to confirmation

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, is seen here during a Senate hearing on July 21, 2026. Murkowski has said she will oppose President Trump's nominee for Attorney General, Todd Blanche. Bloomberg/via Getty Images hide caption

President Trump's nominee for attorney general is facing a narrower path to confirmation after Sen. Lisa Murkowski announced she will vote against his nomination.

"The country needs an Attorney General who will check the worst impulses of this administration," the Alaska Republican said in a statement on X on Friday. "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 she has concerns about the "sweeping immunity protections granted to the president" and what she called the "politicization—even weaponization" of the Department of Justice.

She said another factor in her decision was the anti-weaponization fund , which the Trump administration initially said would be available to those who allege wrongdoing by the federal government. Blanche told members of Congress in June that the controversial fund was scrapped , and formally rescinded it earlier this week.

"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," she said. "Once we vote, that will end, and there is no telling what the future holds."

GOP Sens. John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina – both of whom are leaving Congress – initially held up the Senate Judiciary Committee's vote on Blanche's nomination, demanding written assurances that the fund was indeed dead. Blanche provided that written statement on Aug. 2.

Attorney General Nominee Todd Blanche leaves a meeting on Capitol Hill on July 29, 2026. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images hide caption