Republican Lisa Murkowski opposes Todd Blanche nomination for attorney general

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.

Without the Alaska senator’s vote, the confirmation of Blanche is now in some jeopardy.

Murkowski cited controversies that have occurred during Blanche’s leadership, including the administration’s handling of the Epstein files and a controversial “anti-weaponisation fund” created by a settlement between Trump and the government.

“The country needs an Attorney General who will check the worst impulses of this administration,” Murkowski wrote.

“I hope Mr Blanche is able to achieve that, if confirmed, but I simply do not have confidence that will be the case.”

Blanche had previously pledged to senators he would walk back the nearly $2bn fund after blowback from Republican senators.