Attorney General declines to pledge DOJ independence
LATEST Blanche says AGs should not pledge independence from White House
Attorney General Todd Blanche stated in a Meet the Press interview that no attorney general should pledge independence from the White House. He also asserted that President Trump has not and will not interfere with the Department of Justice. Former U.S. attorney Joyce Vance and others discussed the implications of his stance.
NOW PLAYING AG Blanche refuses to pledge independence from Trump
Attorney General Todd Blanche declined to pledge that the Justice Department would always act independently of the White House, stating that no attorney general should make such a pledge. He asserted that President Trump has not and will not ask him to cross ethical lines and that the DOJ will prosecute "without fear or any sort of favor." However, former Assistant US Attorney Sarah Krissoff argued that Blanche was twisting words, emphasizing the DOJ's long history of independence from the White House as critical for its legitimacy.
Concerns have been raised that the Justice Department may be carrying out President Trump's political agenda, which could undermine the rule of law and the legitimacy of law enforcement agencies.