Lisa Murkowski

Alaska GOP Sen. Lisa Murkowski said Friday that she would oppose the nomination of Todd Blanche for U.S. Attorney General.

“The politicization—even weaponization—of the Department did not start with this administration but has accelerated during it. I take issue with the handling of the release of the Epstein files; the sweeping immunity protections granted to the President, his family, and their businesses; the statements that have been made to anti-abortion groups; and the repeated targeting of individuals ranging from former administration staff to sitting U.S. Senators,” she wrote in a lengthy post on X.

On Tuesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 12-10 to advance Blanche’s nomination after two GOP senators who were originally against Blanche, agreed to vote for him.

Last month, Blanche was grilled by senators about why he should be U.S. Attorney General. He was asked about his record as President Donald Trump’s personal lawyer and how he handled the files related to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

One Epstein survivor testified at Blanche’s hearing and said he ignored the victims for months and wouldn’t meet with them.

Blanche said that he was prohibited from meeting with them directly, but if they were represented by counsel, he would work with the counsel.

“The country needs an Attorney General who will check the worst impulses of this administration,” Murkowski’s lengthy statement concluded. “I hope Mr. Blanche is able to achieve that, if confirmed, but I simply do not have confidence that will be the case.”