Blanche refuses to pledge DOJ independence from White House
Attorney General Todd Blanche has refused to pledge independence for the Department of Justice from the White House, stating he would consider President Trump's views on prosecutions. This marks a significant departure from the post-Watergate norm of DOJ independence.
Why it matters
The shift in the relationship between the executive branch and the Department of Justice has major implications for the rule of law and the separation of powers in the US.
Hear this story Attorney General Todd Blanche said he would consider President Donald Trump 's views on prosecutions, rejecting the notion of an independent Department of Justice.
"Will I take the president of the United States’ view on something into consideration? Yes, of course," Blanche said in an Aug. 16 interview on NBC News' " Meet the Press. " When asked if he would act independently from the White House, Blanche answered: "No, I’m not going to pledge that."
The Department of Justice has largely operated independently of the White House since the Watergate scandal, which led to President Richard Nixon's resignation.
Since returning to the White House, Trump has overseen major changes at the Justice Department, including the firing of dozens of officials and the departure of thousands of lawyers . Critics contend the DOJ has become a tool for targeting Trump's political opponents .
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