President Donald Trump on Saturday launched a strong verbal attack against Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) hours after the Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as the nation's Attorney General. Trump accused Murkowski of being a "traitor" for her warnings that Blanche might not be able to check the "worst impulses" of the current administration.
Murkowski and Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) were the only Republicans to vote against Blanche's confirmation, which passed early Saturday. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana) provided the decisive vote in favor. Trump, who has frequently targeted Cassidy, reposted messages that called Murkowski a "traitor" and questioned her voting record.
Murkowski, who joined the Senate in 2002, had stated her concerns about the "politicization—even weaponization—of the Department" of Justice. "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 in a statement. She voted to convict Trump during his second impeachment trial in 2021, and Trump's reposted messages highlighted her different stances on former Attorney General Merrick Garland and Blanche, who served as Trump's personal lawyer.
Blanche successfully defended Trump in his New York hush money trial and his classified documents case. Murkowski's opposition, announced Friday morning, had raised the possibility of derailing Blanche's nomination. The Senate ultimately confirmed Blanche, who now serves as acting AG.
Cassidy, in a floor speech Friday, cited concerns about "episodes of apparent lawfare" and issues with a settlement that would have paid victims of "weaponization." Blanche had signed that settlement, though he stated it would not move forward. Cassidy also noted Blanche's work with U.S. attorneys in his state, acknowledging that critics admit Blanche "knows the law and is a hands-on administrator."