Fears Mount Over Trump DOJ Independence Under Blanche Pick.
Attorney General Todd Blanche told NBC's Kristen Welker on Sunday that he would not pledge DOJ independence from the White House, and said Trump has never — and will never — ask him to act illegally.
- Blanche was confirmed 50-49, with two Republicans voting against him.
- Blanche previously represented Trump in three criminal cases as his personal defense lawyer.
- On Fox News, Blanche said Trump does not call him to order specific prosecutions.
- No attorney general should pledge full independence, Blanche told Welker.
Why it matters: Blanche is the first attorney general in modern history who was the president's personal criminal defense lawyer. The DOJ formally separated from partisan direction after the 1973 Saturday Night Massacre, making his stance a deliberate break from a 53-year norm.
- The refusal to say 'no' to a hypothetical illegal order — answered instead with a claim of presidential infallibility — is the sharper concern, according to MSNBC's analysis.
- Blanche also told DOJ staff he would lead with integrity and uphold the rule of law fairly and impartially.
How 13 sources split on this story
Where they split: The factual dispute is whether Blanche's framing of DOJ-White House coordination reflects a legitimate executive-power doctrine or signals willingness to act on improper presidential direction.
Center coverage, 2 sources: The center reports Blanche's own words — that he is not Trump's personal servant and that Trump does not dictate prosecutions — without framing his confirmation as a crisis.
Left coverage, 8 sources: The left sees Blanche as a loyalist who has already demonstrated willingness to weaponize the DOJ against Trump's critics, and whose Sunday remarks confirm he will protect the president rather than the law.
MSNBC5dBlanche’s view of an ‘independent’ Justice Department would erase Watergate-era reforms
AlterNet6dReceipts don't lie: Blanche trapped by legal experts over Trump fabrication
Raw Story6dFears intensify that Trump DOJ already has a workaround for supposedly dead slush fund
Los Angeles Times6dContributor: How to prevent future U.S. attorneys general from being subservient attack dogs
Salon6dTodd Blanche's dangerous lie sets the stage for more DOJ abuses
The Atlantic6dWhat Trump Officials Mean by “Never”
What’s next: Conservative commentator Rick Wilson said he texted a Democratic senator who confirmed impeachment proceedings against Blanche are under discussion.
- Blanche's handling of open matters — including Jan. 6 claims and the status of a reported settlement fund — will face continued congressional scrutiny.
- Whether any Senate Democrat will formally introduce impeachment articles against Blanche, and on what timeline.
- How Blanche will handle cases where White House pressure and career DOJ lawyers' judgments conflict.
- Whether the two Republican senators who voted against Blanche will take further action to constrain the department.