Earlier on Friday, Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski announced she would oppose Blanche, citing concerns over the “politicisation” of the justice department.
“The politicization – even weaponization – of the Department did not start with this administration but has accelerated during it,” Murkowski wrote on X.
Blanche’s confirmation was briefly in jeopardy on Friday morning following Murkowski’s announcement.
“While we are not surprised by Senator Murkowski’s decision, it is nevertheless disappointing, considering all the Administration and specifically the Department of Justice has done for Alaska,” press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement.
Leavitt said Blanche was “exceptionally qualified” and “should be confirmed”.
Blanche was already deputy attorney general when he took up the interim leadership role in April, after Pam Bondi was fired.
In her statement on X, external, Murkowski cited controversies that occurred during Blanche’s leadership, including the administration’s handling of the Epstein files and the “anti-weaponisation fund”.
“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 previously pledged to walk back the nearly $2bn fund after blowback from Republican senators during his confirmation hearings.
The fund was planned to provide compensation to individuals who alleged government persecution but critics including Murkowski feared it would go to individuals who were prosecuted for participating in the January 6 attack on Congress.
Trump and Blanche said the president and his family could not draw on the fund.
Another condition of the IRS settlement gave Trump certain immunity from audits.
Senator Susan Collins, a Maine Republican facing a tough re-election battle this year, this week said she would not vote for Blanche.
