Trump calls Murkowski GOP's 'Worst Senator' after she opposes Justice Department suit

President Donald Trump on Saturday night called Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska "The Republicans' Worst Senator, by far" and "a DISGRACE to Alaska and our Country." He attacked his fellow Republican one day after she opposed a Justice Department lawsuit that Trump said he ordered.

In one of two posts about Murkowski and the Alaska Senate race, Trump accused Democrats of wanting to steal Sen. Dan Sullivan's seat by having a second candidate, Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., on the ballot. The Justice Department sued Alaska election officials in federal court on Thursday, seeking to block certification if Sullivan (the Republican) loses by a margin smaller than the percentage of votes for Daniel J. Sullivan Jr.

Trump told reporters Friday that he told the DOJ to file the suit: “I'm the one that said do it.”

Murkowski endorsed Sullivan — the Republican — in January. On Friday, she wrote on X: "The Department of Justice should never have filed this lawsuit."

In his Saturday evening post, Trump accused Murkowski of wanting Sullivan to lose.

"Murkowski probably wants [Democrats to steal the election], which is why she is against the DOJ filing a Lawsuit," he wrote.

The ballot in Alaska lists the senator as Dan S. Sullivan, “Registered Republican” and “Incumbent.” Sullivan Jr. has no party listed. A filing from Democratic candidate Mary Peltola's campaign called the Justice Department's theory "insulting to voters." Attorney General Todd Blanche said the department "does not seek to stop any ballot from being cast or to stop the certification of Alaska's election." The DOJ filing directly contradicts Blanche.

The attacks appear to be an effort to reframe a possible Sullivan loss as illegitimate, using the same “theft” language Trump has used in other election fights. "The Democrats are trying to steal this important Republican Seat,” Trump wrote, “and, if that happens, everything we've done for Alaska will come to an immediate hault [sic]."

Trump also told Alaskans to vote "YES" on Ballot Measure 2, which he called a vote against the state’s ranked-choice voting system. He characterized the system as "a TOTAL DEMOCRAT SCAM meant to confuse the Voter."

In further attacks on Murkowski, Trump cast doubt on the senator’s previous election victories, saying she owed her office to the new ranked-choice system.

Trump wrote: Murkowski “came in second or third, but then she ‘won.’ Miracles happen!”

That is wrong. In the 2022 primary, Murkowski finished first with 45.0%. Kelly Tshibaka, Trump’s preferred candidate, was second with 38.5%. In the November count, Murkowski led the first round, 43.37% to Tshibaka’s 42.60%. She needed a third round to pass 50% and won it, 53.70% to 46.30%.