Blanche Refuses DOJ Independence Pledge, Defends Presidential Policy Alignment

Attorney General Todd Blanche pushed back Sunday against pressure to commit the Justice Department to operating independently of the White House, asserting instead that the agency must remain capable of executing the president’s lawful policy directives. During an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Blanche flatly declined host Kristen Welker’s request for such a pledge, stating that no attorney general should make that commitment.

Blanche distinguished between legitimate presidential policy guidance and improper political interference by citing President Donald Trump’s direction to pursue violent criminals nationwide. He framed the question as a choice between following orders to combat crime or refusing lawful executive directives, suggesting the latter would be unreasonable and contrary to his role in the executive branch.

The Justice Manual itself supports the distinction Blanche outlined, permitting White House-DOJ coordination on broad policy matters while restricting communications about specific cases to senior officials to safeguard prosecutorial decisions from partisan pressure. Blanche had offered similar reasoning during his July confirmation hearing when Senator Chris Coons questioned whether the department should remain independent from the executive office.

When Welker pressed whether Blanche would comply if Trump ordered him to violate ethical or legal boundaries, the attorney general rejected the premise outright. He invoked his constitutional oath, stating the president “never has” and “never will” ask him to cross such lines, and noted all cabinet secretaries take identical oaths.

Documents released by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley showed internal disagreements during the classified records investigation at Mar-a-Lago, with FBI Washington Field Office officials questioning probable cause while the DOJ’s Counterintelligence Section pressed forward. A federal magistrate approved the search warrant in August 2022.

Blanche’s confirmation drew opposition from some Republicans, including Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, who joined all Senate Democrats in voting against him. Collins cited Blanche’s actions as further eroding departmental independence, while other GOP senators sought rescission of a $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund and narrower IRS audit protections for Trump and his family.

In his first address to DOJ staff Thursday, Blanche pledged to lead the department with integrity and focus on enforcing the law fairly and impartially, seeking to reassure employees about his stewardship of the agency.