Blanche refuses to pledge DOJ will always act independently of White House

Todd Blanche laid out his vision for the agency as he sat down for a his first interview as attorney general Sunday with Kristen Welker on Meet the Press.

Attorney General Todd Blanche on Sunday declined to commit to always acting independently of the White House, a concern among critics who worry the Justice Department is carrying out President Donald Trump’s political agenda.

Appearing Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” things got testy between Blanche and moderator Kristen Welker after she questioned how Trump’s decision to pardon the Capitol attackers, including 172 people who pleaded guilty to assaulting police officers, on his first day in office is “consistent with your pledge to always protect law enforcement.”

Blanche made the stakes clear: Trump's wishes can shape who gets investigated and prosecuted.