Alaska’s congressional delegation, from left to right, Sen. Dan Sullivan, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Rep. Don Young, all Republicans. Delegates responded to criticisms of President Trump made by former Secretary of Defense Gen. James Mattis. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Alaska’s congressional delegation, from left to right, Sen. Dan Sullivan, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Rep. Don Young, all Republicans. Delegates responded to criticisms of President Trump made by former Secretary of Defense Gen. James Mattis. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Alaska’s congressional delegation responds to Trump criticisms, protests

Delegates issued statesment to the Empire

All three members of Alaska’s Congressional Delegation responded to criticisms of President Trump made recently by former Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis.

The first to do so was Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski who called Mattis’ comments, “true, and honest and necessary and overdue.”

In a statement Wednesday, Mattis said President Trump“is the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people — does not even pretend to try. Instead he tries to divide us. We are witnessing the consequences of three years of this deliberate effort.”

Murkowski told reporters in Washington, D.C., she was “struggling” with supporting President Trump, according to the Associated Press. While Murkowski has a history of criticizing the president, Alaska’s other two delegates, Rep. Don Young and Sen. Dan Sullivan, both Republicans, have been more supportive.

In a statement, Young said:

“I support our President and want him to be successful in unifying our nation and healing our wounds. In America’s history, we have had much to overcome to achieve racial equality, and we have more work to do. In my lifetime, I have seen great leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and my colleague Congressman John Lewis do brave work to help secure equal protection under the law that our Constitution promises. It is our work to continue, both in Alaska and across the country.

“I am very proud of Alaskans who peacefully demonstrated over the suffocation of George Floyd. They respectfully exercised their First Amendment right and had their voices heard. I think this peaceful action is the best way to honor George Floyd’s memory and bring people together to make our country a better place for everyone. We can and must do better as a nation, and I’m very hopeful we will.”

[Murkowski says she’s struggling with supporting Trump]

Sullivan also provided a statement to the Empire:

“I have deep respect for Jim Mattis and his service to our nation. I agree with all calls for unity at this time, and have been emphasizing the same. While I would urge the president to try to strike a unifying tone and message during these challenging times, the blame game and finger pointing on issues of race in America are not constructive, particularly now. As my former boss Condoleezza Rice wrote in a very powerful op-ed in today’s Washington Post, ‘If we are to make progress, let us vow to check the language of recrimination at the door.’ Now is the time when we need to listen to each other, learn, and then take appropriate action together.”

In an email, Sullivan spokesperson Mike Anderson said the senator doesn’t favor deploying active duty troops in response to protests, unless a governor has requested them.

• Contact reporter Peter Segall at psegall@juneauempire.com. Follow him on Twitter at @SegallJnoEmpire.

More in News

The Norwegian Bliss arrives in Juneau on Monday, April 14, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Ships in port for the week of May 18

This information comes from the Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska’s 2024 schedule.… Continue reading

Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, prepares to open the Alaska Senate’s floor session on Friday, May 2, 2025. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Senate President Gary Stevens to retire; House Rep. Louise Stutes announces run for seat

At least one other member of Senate’s bipartisan majority is expected to not seek reelection in 2026.

Juneau Assembly members discuss a proposed increase in the mill rate for the fiscal year starting July 1 during a meeting of the Assembly’s Finance Committee on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Increasing mill rate to 10.24, rather than 10.19 in earlier versions of city’s budget, gets OK from Assembly

Extra costs in budget, loss of federal funds cited for higher increase from current rate of 10.04 mills.

Rep. Calvin Schrage, I-Anchorage, speaks to the Alaska House of Representatives on Friday, April 25, 2025. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
At adjournment, Alaska Legislature leaves elections overhaul, campaign finance bills undone

House Bill 16 and Senate Bill 64 could be part of a wave of big legislation that passes early next year.

State Sen. Lyman Hoffman (D-Bethel) exits the Senate Chambers after the Senate on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, adjourns until next January. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Alaska Legislature adjourns a day early in ‘smoothest ending in 20 years’ following months of budget battles

Lawmakers speed through final votes on veto override on education funding bill, budget with $1,000 PFD.

Rep. Andi Story (D-Juneau), Rep. Rebecca Himschoot (I-Sitka), and Rep. Sarah Vance (R-Homer) watch the vote tally during a veto override joint session on an education bill Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Legislature overrides governor’s education veto in moment of ‘courage’

Supporters of bill raising BSA by $700 stand together as session nears adjournment.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Sunday, May 18, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Visitors walk along the downtown cruise ship dock on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Initiative to limit number of cruise ship passengers, shorten season fails to get signatures to make ballot

“Enthusiasm for this just wasn’t there in the same way as Ship-Free Saturday,” author of proposal says.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters about his decision to veto an education funding bill earlier this session at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 17, 2025. He vetoed a second such bill on Monday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Gov. Dunleavy vetoes second bill increasing education funding; override vote by legislators likely Tuesday

Bill passed by 48-11 vote — eight more than needed — but same count for override not certain.

Most Read