Murkowski opposes Blanche nomination, putting AG bid in jeopardy

His remarks came after Sens. Murkowski and Collins announced their opposition.

Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy announced Friday he will vote for acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to lead the Department of Justice, likely clearing the way for Blanche to be narrowly confirmed.

All eyes were on Cassidy after two other Republican senators, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, announced their opposition to President Donald Trump's nominee.

Cassidy, in a speech on the Senate floor, said that he is supporting Blanche because he sees him as more favorable than potential alternatives.

"Mr. Blanche is not perfect, and he will tell you this. But the choice is not between perfection and Mr. Blanche. It is between Mr. Blanche and another acting attorney general, who may not run the department effectively under President Trump, and who indeed may not be as good as Mr. Blanche," the senator said. "This puts at risk the progress made fighting violent crime, human and drug trafficking and fraud. And this does not serve the American people well."

Cassidy, who is leaving office in January after losing to a Republican primary challenger and who has clashed with Trump several times in recent months, appeared to grow emotional as he stated his case.

"This is not a referendum on President Trump. It is a decision regarding Mr. Blanche and very specific circumstances. All considered, I will vote for Mr. Blanche. I'll be criticized for this vote. What's new?" Cassidy said, taking a long pause and choking up before he continued. "But people of Louisiana can be assured that I work hard to understand the issue, and to make the right decision."

The Senate has not yet agreed when they will hold a full vote on Blanche's nomination.

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.

Murkowski said in a statement released Friday morning that 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 Jeffrey 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."

Earlier this week, Collins said in a statement that she would vote no on Blanche's nomination.

"While I believe Mr. Blanche is a capable lawyer, the Department of Justice has become increasingly political," Collins said in a statement. "Mr. Blanche has taken several actions that have further eroded the Department’s independence, and that is the basis for my vote to oppose his confirmation."

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