Todd Blanche’s confirmation in doubt again amid more GOP opposition

• Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski has announced her opposition to Todd Blanche ’s nomination as Attorney General , citing concerns over the Justice Department's handling of Jeffrey Epstein-related files, a tax audit immunity deal for Trump, and a proposed $1.8 billion fund.
• Murkowski's decision, following Sen. Susan Collins's opposition, significantly narrows Blanche's confirmation path, as he can only afford to lose two Republican votes if all Democrats vote against him.
• “The country needs an Attorney General who will check the worst impulses of this administration," Murkowski said in a statement. “I hope Mr. Blanche is able to achieve that, if confirmed, but I simply do not have confidence that will be the case.”
• The proposed “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” intended to compensate individuals feeling mistreated by the criminal justice system, and the tax audit immunity deal for Trump and his family, have drawn bipartisan criticism and are central to the opposition.
• Despite a deal in the Senate Judiciary Committee where Blanche formally rescinded the fund and clarified the tax immunity agreement, lawmakers remain concerned the administration could revive the fund post-confirmation. Legal experts and politicians continue to question the lawfulness of the tax protections, with a federal judge describing Trump's lawsuit as self-dealing and IRS workers seeking to block the immunity agreement.