Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski says she will oppose Todd Blanche's nomination as attorney general
Blanche’s nomination faces opposition over his role in the IRS deal and concerns about the Justice Department’s independence.
SOURCE CHECK
TAP FOR WHYThe Inquirer is an established regional news organization, and this article has named authors and reports specific developments with attributed statements. The text does not provide enough information to assess its corrections practice directly.
- Source type — Established regional news outlet, a strong credibility signal.
- Author attribution — Two named reporters are credited.
- Editorial standards — The article distinguishes reported events from attributed claims and quotations.
- Correction history — No correction information is available in the article.
The article draws on statements from senators and describes the IRS deal and Blanche’s assurances with specific detail. It includes concerns from lawmakers in both parties, but does not include a direct response from Blanche or the administration to the criticism.
HOW WE SCORE ↗The article presents the competing Republican votes and Cassidy’s rationale for supporting Blanche despite his reservations. It also includes Democratic criticism and critics’ doubts about Blanche’s assurances, but does not include a direct defense from Blanche or the administration.
- Counterarguments presented — Cassidy explains why he supports Blanche despite sharing concerns, while Murkowski and other critics explain their opposition.
- Source diversity — Includes views from Republican senators, Democrats, and a former attorney general through Cassidy’s account.
- Omitted context — No direct response from Blanche or the administration is included.
- Loaded language — Some critical language appears, but it is largely attributed or presented as specific reporting.
The report is mostly written in a conventional news style, but its framing emphasizes concerns about Trump’s influence on the Justice Department and Blanche’s role in the IRS deal. Those criticisms are attributed, though the article offers no direct response from Blanche or the administration.
- Framing — Emphasizes Republican unease and the possibility of political interference in the Justice Department.
- Language tone — Mostly reportorial language, with some sharply critical descriptions attributed to lawmakers or presented as reported context.
- Source selection — Features critical senators and Democrats’ concerns, without a direct response from Blanche or the administration.
Sen. Bill Cassidy said he would vote to confirm Todd Blanche as attorney general, while Sen. Lisa Murkowski said she would oppose him. Cassidy’s support gave Senate Republicans the expected votes to move toward a confirmation vote, despite concerns from both senators about Blanche and the Justice Department.
Cassidy announced his support Friday after Murkowski said she would vote no; Susan Collins had also announced opposition. Senate Republican leaders were expected to bring Blanche’s confirmation to a vote as soon as Friday. Cassidy said he shared concerns about the Justice Department’s politicization and Blanche’s role in a deal involving President Donald Trump’s claims against the IRS, but argued that Blanche might be preferable to another acting attorney general.
Murkowski said she lacked confidence Blanche would check the administration’s impulses, and worried that the proposed compensation fund could return after his confirmation. Cassidy also criticized Blanche’s judgment over the IRS deal, while saying former Attorney General William P. Barr had advised him to support the nomination. The article reports that Blanche later declared the fund dead and clarified the deal’s tax provisions; critics questioned whether those assurances would bind Trump.
Community verdict
22 VOTESPeople in this story
SWIPE →Attorney general nominee whose confirmation is at issue
Senator supporting Todd Blanche’s attorney general nomination
Cassidy's version of this story ↗Senator opposing Todd Blanche’s attorney general nomination
Murkowski's version of this story ↗Former attorney general whom Trump fired
Senator who said she would vote against Blanche’s nomination
President whose Justice Department and IRS dealings are discussed
Senator absent for health reasons
Senator who threatened to oppose Blanche’s nomination in committee
Representative identified as Cassidy’s primary rival
Senator who threatened to oppose Blanche’s nomination in committee
Part of a bigger story
39 OUTLETSThe Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general after senators split over his nomination. Left-leaning outlets condemn Republican support for Blanche and stress concerns about Justice Department independence. Center outlets focus on the narrow vote, competing positions, and concerns and negotiations surrounding the confirmation. Right-leaning outlets cover the Republican split, with some coverage also highlighting Cassidy’s backing and Trump’s criticism of Murkowski after the vote.
- ARTICLES
- 46
- OUTLETS
- 39
- AVG CRED
- 75
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