Attorney General Blanche refuses to pledge that the Justice Department will act independently of the White House

What happened

Asked by Kristen Welker on NBC’s “Meet the Press” whether the Justice Department would always act independently of the White House, Attorney General Todd Blanche answered: “No, I’m not going to pledge that, and no attorney general should ever pledge that.” The interview aired August 16, 2026.

Blanche said the President should have a voice in individual prosecutions: “it depends, but yes.” He added: “Will I take the president of the United States’ view on something into consideration? Yes, of course.” He also said Trump had never asked him to do anything unethical or illegal.

Blanche is Trump’s former criminal defense lawyer. He had been confirmed as attorney general the previous weekend, after serving as acting attorney general since April. The interview came days after the Senate confirmed him, and he said Trump had never asked him to do anything unethical or illegal.

Who benefited

Trump gained an attorney general who says the President’s view on a case counts when he decides it. Blanche stated that publicly, in his own words, and set no limit on which cases. He also said Trump had never asked him for anything unethical or illegal.

Who wanted something

Trump wanted a Justice Department head close to the White House. He chose his own former defense lawyer, who served as acting attorney general from April and was then confirmed. The record shows Blanche declined to promise distance from the White House when asked.

Who lost out

Anyone the President wants prosecuted, or wants spared, now faces a Justice Department whose head says the President’s view will be weighed. Blanche declined the pledge of independence. Defendants and the public have no rule to point to, only his word that nothing unethical has been asked.

Why it matters

The attorney general said on national television that he will not promise the Justice Department will act independently of the White House. The statement came days after his confirmation. Nothing in the record shows a specific case changed because of it; the receipt records the position he put on the air.

Sources CNNThe Washington PostAxiosThe Guardian