President Donald Trump’s bid to install Todd Blanche as attorney general hit a major roadblock on Friday after Senator Lisa Murkowski announced her opposition to the nomination. The move by the Alaskan Republican puts Blanche’s future in serious doubt, joining Senator Susan Collins in the ranks of those opposing the pick. Because Senator Mitch McConnell is currently sidelined and Democrats are expected to vote against him, a third Republican defector could effectively kill the nomination for one of the most powerful roles in the federal government.

In a blunt statement, Murkowski explained that despite several constructive meetings with Blanche, she lacks confidence in his ability to serve as a necessary check on the administration’s worst impulses. Her primary concern centers on what she describes as the accelerating politicization and potential weaponization of the Justice Department. Specifically, she pointed toward the department’s mishandling of files related to deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and voiced strong skepticism regarding a proposed 1.8 billion dollar anti weaponization fund, which she characterized as little more than a slush fund.

The tension surrounding the appointment has already spilled over into public clashes between Trump and his own party members. In an interview released Friday, Trump lashed out at Murkowski, claiming he has done more for Alaska than any previous president and stating plainly that he is against her because she is not good. This friction adds another layer of volatility to a confirmation process that has already been fraught with difficulty. Other Republicans like Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis initially withheld their support due to concerns over leadership and transparency involving tax record settlements and audit immunity.

While some hurdles were cleared through written assurances and private meetings with Epstein survivors, those efforts have yielded mixed results. Some victims reported that interactions with Blanche were neither substantive nor productive, while others criticized the Justice Department for failing to protect survivors’ privacy while shielding possible abusers. As these controversies mount, all eyes turn toward undecided lawmakers like Senator Bill Cassidy, whose vote could now become the deciding factor in whether Blanche ever officially takes hold of the office.