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Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski says she will oppose Todd Blanche's nomination as attorney general

Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski says she will oppose Todd Blanche’s nomination as attorney general.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaksa, talks with Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., at the U.S. Capitol, Tuesday, July 28, 2026, in Washington.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaksa, talks with Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., at the U.S. Capitol, Tuesday, July 28, 2026, in Washington. Read moreAllison Robbert / AP
    by Bill Barrow, Associated Press
    Published 

WASHINGTON — 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 said in a statement that she is concerned the Trump administration could proceed with its proposed fund to compensate Jan. 6 rioters even though Blanche has issued a formal order terminating it. Murkowski said the Senate has leverage over the fund, which the Republican senator wants, only because Blanche’s nomination is pending. That leverage would be gone if he is confirmed, she said.

Blanche won over the Senate Judiciary Committee in a 12-10 vote only because he promised Republican holdouts that he would not pursue the payout fund.

Republicans hold a 53-47 Senate majority, but Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky is not attending Senate sessions, giving the GOP little room to lose senators and still confirm the president’s pick. McConnell says he’s been discharged from a rehabilitation center and will continue his recovery from home.

    Bill Barrow, Associated Press