Kayla Epstein
(BBC) – Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski announced she would oppose President Donald Trump’s nominee for US attorney general, citing concerns over the “politicisation” of the Justice Department.
Trump seeks to install Todd Blanche, his former personal defence attorney who is currently acting attorney general, to run the Justice Department on a permanent basis but he has faced opposition from a small number of Republicans.
“The politicization – even weaponization – of the Department did not start with this administration but has accelerated during it,” Murkowski wrote on X.
Without the Alaska senator’s vote, the confirmation of Blanche is now in jeopardy.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Speaking to Punchbowl News on Thursday before Murkowski’s announcement, Trump said he believed Blanche “will survive”.
Should Blanche fail to secure confirmation, Trump said he would keep him in the position regardless as acting attorney general.
