CNN's Betsy Klein highlighted an "extraordinary statement" made by Attorney General Todd Blanche during an interview over the weekend.
Speaking to NBC News' "Meet the Press" host Kristen Welker, the newly confirmed attorney general declined to say he would always act independently of President Donald Trump and the White House.
When asked whether the Justice Department would always act independently of the White House, he said flatly, "No, I'm not going to pledge that." When pressed on whether he'd factor the president's views into prosecutorial decisions, Blanche responded, "Yes, of course, and I hope every attorney general in history would not answer that question differently."
Klein was astonished by the attorney general's statement, saying it contradicted the Department of Justice's core values.
"The reason that that is notable, an extraordinary statement, is because it is a long-held norm within the Department of Justice, it is actually specifically spelled out on the Justice Department's website alongside its mission, which is to uphold the rule of law to keep the country safe, and then, among its values, independence and impartiality," Klein said.
Blanche, Trump's former personal defense attorney, took over as attorney general after Pam Bondi was fired in April, reportedly because Trump felt she wasn't moving fast enough against his political opponents. Blanche was only officially confirmed a week ago, with Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA)casting a decisive vote to get him through the Senate.
Blanche's comments triggered immediate backlash.
Former "Meet the Press" host Chuck Todd called it a "pretty amazing confession," questioning how Blanche was confirmed while holding that position.
Legal analyst Katie Phang criticized Blanche's deflections, and writer Will Saletan argued the answers show Blanche is "afraid of Trump" and willing to let him steer the department — pointing to Trump's own Truth Social posts pushing Bondi to prosecute Comey and Letitia James as proof independence has already eroded.
- YouTube youtu.be
