Murkowski opposition leaves Todd Blanche 1 vote from defeat
What's next: With Collins also opposed and McConnell absent, Cassidy could decide whether Trump's attorney general pick survives.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska said Thursday she will oppose Todd Blanche for attorney general, dealing a fresh blow to President Donald Trump’s effort to secure Senate confirmation for his acting Justice Department chief. Murkowski joined Sen. Susan Collins of Maine in breaking with Republicans over Blanche, citing what she called the department’s growing politicization and weaponization. She pointed to disputes over the handling of the Epstein files, immunity protections tied to Trump and his family, and a proposed nearly $2 billion anti-weaponization fund that drew backlash from GOP senators. With Republicans holding 53 seats and Sen. Mitch McConnell absent because of illness, Blanche may be able to lose only one more Republican vote, putting Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana under added pressure.