Trump's Blanche victory sparks GOP clash as he calls Republican senator a 'traitor'

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump called Republican Sen Lisa Murkowski a “traitor” after she voted against his Attorney General nominee Todd Blanche.

Murkowski joined fellow Republican Susan Collins and all Democrats in opposing Blanche, who was confirmed by the Senate early Saturday, August 8.

Trump targets Lisa Murkowski after Todd Blanche vote

Trump took aim at Murkowski on Truth Social on Saturday after the Alaska senator refused to support Blanche.

He reposted a MAGA supporter’s post criticizing Murkowski for opposing Blanche after previously voting to confirm Merrick Garland, the attorney general under President Joe Biden.

The post accused Murkowski of claiming Blanche would “weaponize the DOJ” and being “too political.” It also referenced Garland’s role in authorizing the search warrant for Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate.

“Traitor,” the post concluded.

Trump also shared an image of Murkowski alongside an old clip of Garland saying he had “personally authorized” the search warrant for Trump’s Florida estate.

The search was part of a probe into whether Trump improperly removed and retained classified government records after leaving office.

Lisa Murkowski opposes Todd Blanche's record

Murkowski said on Friday that she had held “numerous constructive meetings” with Blanche and described him as “decent and capable.”

She still declined to support his nomination.

“The politicization—even weaponization—of the Department did not start with this administration but has accelerated during it,” Murkowski said in a statement on X.

She cited several reasons for opposing Blanche, including his handling of the Epstein files and immunity protections granted to Trump, his family and their businesses.

Murkowski also pointed to Blanche’s statements against anti-abortion groups and what she called the “repeated targeting” of several individuals.

Bill Cassidy clears Todd Blanche's path to confirmation

Murkowski’s opposition came as Blanche faced a difficult confirmation vote in the Senate.

Republican Sen Bill Cassidy of Louisiana gave Blanche a crucial boost on Friday when he announced that he would support the nomination.

Cassidy acknowledged that Blanche was “not perfect” and had shown “poor judgment” at times.

Still, Cassidy said the confirmation vote was “not a referendum on President Trump.”

Blanche was then confirmed by a 50-49 vote, with Murkowski and Collins joining Democrats against him.

Before the vote, Murkowski said she wanted the next attorney general to be willing to challenge the administration.

“The country needs an Attorney General who will check the worst impulses of this administration,” she said. “I hope Mr Blanche is able to achieve that, if confirmed, but I simply do not have confidence that will be the case.”