Attorney General Todd Blanche has drawn criticism after declining to pledge independence from the White House, stating that the president should have a voice in individual prosecutions. Blanche, who was narrowly confirmed by the Senate earlier this month, made the remarks on NBC News's Meet the Press.
When asked if the Department of Justice would always act independently of the White House, Blanche responded, "I'm not going to pledge that." He further stated, "And no attorney general should ever pledge that." He also affirmed that President Donald Trump should have a voice on individual decisions, though he added that Trump "never has" and "never will" ask him to do something illegal.
"The President of the United States, the elected President of the United States, says something to me," Blanche said when explaining the process. "And I'm supposed to say to you, 'I would say no.' I mean, that's not the way it works."
Blanche's confirmation process was delayed due to concerns from some Democrats and Republicans about his potential use of the department for politically motivated prosecutions. Concerns were also raised regarding his past role as a personal attorney for Trump, with critics arguing he had been unable to separate from that role.
"The fundamental problem with Todd Blanche is not that he's inexperienced, not that he's not capable, and not that he's not intelligent," Senator Adam Schiff said in a statement urging opposition to Blanche's confirmation. "The problem is that Blanche has never been able to shed his role as criminal defense lawyer for Donald Trump. He just can't do it."