Todd Blanche's US AG confirmation could be in jeopardy. So which Republicans could be voting against him?
Murkowski said she would vote against Blanche, citing concerns about the Justice Department and the administration.
SOURCE CHECK
TAP FOR WHYThe Independent is an established international news organization and the story identifies its author. The report attributes senators’ stated positions and provides vote-count context, though its sourcing is limited and it offers little direct response from Blanche.
- Source type — Established international news outlet with a substantial record of news coverage.
- Editorial standards — The publisher is an established newsroom, though no article-specific corrections or standards information appears in the text.
- Author attribution — The article names its author.
- Source selection — The article attributes positions to senators but does not include a direct response from Blanche.
The article gives specific, attributed reasons for senators’ positions and explains the expected vote arithmetic. It includes some support for Blanche’s confirmation, but offers limited source diversity and little direct response from Blanche to the criticisms.
HOW WE SCORE ↗The article explains the objections of the two Republican senators and includes statements of support from Cassidy and opposition from Fetterman. It gives limited space to Blanche’s perspective or a response to the criticisms.
- Counterarguments presented — Cassidy’s support for Blanche is included, but Blanche’s direct response to the main criticisms is largely absent.
- Source diversity — Most of the detailed material comes from senators explaining their positions.
- Omitted context — The piece provides vote arithmetic but limited broader context about the allegations and Blanche’s response.
- Loaded language — The article mainly attributes charged descriptions to the senators who used them.
The report uses mostly straightforward language and attributes criticism and support to the senators making those statements. The headline emphasizes the possibility that confirmation is in jeopardy, but the article presents positions on both sides.
- Language tone — Mostly neutral reporting language, with claims attributed to their speakers.
- Source selection — Includes opposition from Murkowski and Collins as well as support from Cassidy.
- Headline — The headline frames the vote as being in jeopardy, but the story supplies vote-count context.
Two Republican senators, Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins, say they will vote against Todd Blanche’s attorney general confirmation, leaving the outcome dependent on a narrow Senate vote. The article also reports that Mitch McConnell will be absent, while Bill Cassidy and John Fetterman have stated their positions.
Murkowski said she lacked confidence Blanche would check what she called the administration’s worst impulses. She cited the handling of the Epstein files, the targeting of individuals including sitting senators, and a proposed $1.8 billion fund. Blanche said there were no plans to move forward with the fund; Murkowski said she remained concerned about what could happen after the confirmation vote.
Collins said Blanche had taken actions that further eroded the Justice Department’s independence. She cited his support for the fund and the department’s move to indict Senators Mark Kelly and Elissa Slotkin over a video. The article says McConnell would be absent, Cassidy had declared support for Blanche, and Fetterman had confirmed he would vote against him. It describes the vote as close, with 99 senators expected to participate.
Community verdict
23 VOTES
People in this story
SWIPE →Senator opposing Todd Blanche’s attorney general confirmation
Acting attorney general whose confirmation is at issue
Blanche's version of this story ↗
Senator opposing Todd Blanche’s attorney general confirmation
Collins's version of this story ↗
Former attorney general whom Blanche succeeded
Senator whom Collins said the Justice Department moved to indict
President whose administration is discussed in senators’ criticisms
Senator expected to be absent from the confirmation vote
Senator opposing Blanche’s confirmation
Senator supporting Blanche’s confirmation
Secretary of Homeland Security whose confirmation Fetterman previously supported
Senator whom Collins said the Justice Department moved to indict
Part of a bigger story
31 OUTLETSThe Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general, and Lisa Murkowski voted against his confirmation. Left-leaning outlets cast Murkowski’s opposition as a setback for Trump’s nominee and highlight Trump’s response. Center outlets focus on the narrow confirmation alongside concerns about Justice Department independence and the proposed fund. Right-leaning outlets emphasize confirmation despite Republican opposition, while also including criticism of Murkowski and coverage of Trump’s attack on her.
- ARTICLES
- 36
- OUTLETS
- 31
- AVG CRED
- 73
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