Blanche Refuses to Say He’ll Always Be Independent of Trump as Attorney General

Blanche Refuses to Say He’ll Always Be Independent of Trump as Attorney General

The new head of the Justice Department said on “Meet the Press” on Sunday that the president had never asked him to prosecute specific people — and never would.

Aug 16, 2026

Trump's views can factor into prosecutions, Attorney General Todd Blanche says

Attorney General Todd Blanche refused Sunday to pledge the Justice Department's independence from the White House, saying he would consider President Trump's views on individual prosecutions. Why it matters: Trump has remade the DOJ , ousting longtime staffers , urging prosecutions of rivals and installing his former lawyer as attorney general. Blanche made the stakes clear: Trump's wishes can shape who gets investigated and prosecuted . What he's saying: "No, I'm not going to pledge that," Blan

Aug 16, 2026