Todd Blanche Declines to Pledge DOJ Independence From White House, Reigniting Oversight Fears
Was Blanche right to decline pledging that the Justice Department will always act independently of the White House? Attorney General Todd Blanche on Sunday declined to commit to always acting independently of the White House, a concern among critics who worry the Justice Department is carrying out President Donald Trump's political agenda. Asked by NBC's Kristen Welker on "Meet the Press" whether he could pledge the department would always act independently, Blanche said, "No, I'm not going to pledge that, and no attorney general should ever pledge that." He also said Trump's views could factor into individual prosecution decisions, telling Welker "Every American has a voice in prosecutions... So whether President Trump should have a, quote, voice, it depends, but yes."
Blanche, Trump's former personal defense attorney, was confirmed as the 88th attorney general by a narrow 50-49 Senate vote earlier this month, with every Democrat and two Republicans, Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, voting against him. He had already been running the department in an acting capacity since April, a period during which the Justice Department indicted former FBI Director James Comey for a second time.
Sunday's remarks were not the first time Blanche has rejected the idea of a wall between the White House and DOJ. In May, he told Congress the department's policy direction "comes from the president," and in written answers he pointed to the Constitution, noting the president heads the executive branch and the department sits within it. Blanche also said Sunday he supports keeping DC US Attorney Jeanine Pirro in her post despite Trump's calls for her to revisit a case involving the Reflecting Pool.
What supporters say:
Blanche and his allies point to the Constitution, arguing the Justice Department sits within the executive branch the president heads, so factoring in his views isn't improper.
Blanche insists Trump has never asked him to cross a legal or ethical line and says he would refuse if asked, pledging the department will "prosecute without fear or any sort of favor."
Supporters note he has publicly backed a sitting US Attorney, Jeanine Pirro, even when the president suggested revisiting her handling of a case, framing it as evidence he isn't simply following orders.
What critics say:
Law professor Barb McQuade called Blanche's position "an appalling departure" from the department's mission since Watergate, saying he has turned it into "Trump's private law firm."
Two Republican senators, Collins and Murkowski, joined every Democrat in opposing his confirmation over independence concerns, showing the worry isn't limited to one party.
Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla said Blanche is "continuing to act as if he's still Donald Trump's personal attorney," pointing to the department's pursuit of Trump's perceived political enemies, including the second indictment of James Comey.
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Was Blanche right to decline pledging that the Justice Department will always act independently of the White House? Yes 
No 
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Sources:
NPR
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