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US Attorney General Todd Blanche rejected calls to commit to maintaining the independence of the Justice Department from White House influence during a recent television appearance. When pressed on the matter by NBC’s Meet the Press host Kristen Welker, Blanche stated that he would not make such a pledge and suggested that no attorney general should be expected to do so.
Blanche, a former personal lawyer for Donald Trump, further contended that the president would never pressure him to engage in unethical or illegal conduct. He emphasized his oath to the Constitution and dismissed what he characterized as a false narrative promoted by political opponents and media outlets regarding potential presidential interference in the department’s operations.
The attorney general’s refusal to commit to departmental independence has drawn criticism from legal experts who view it as a departure from standards established after the Watergate scandal. His remarks come shortly after a narrow Senate confirmation vote in which all Democrats opposed his nomination, with the final tally standing at 50-49. Blanche’s tenure has already faced scrutiny over various matters, including decisions related to prisoner transfers and handling of cases involving high-profile figures.
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Originally reported by Theguardian →
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