US Attorney General Todd Blanche on Sunday flatly declined to commit that the Department of Justice (DOJ) would operate independently of the White House, arguing that such a pledge would impede the President's legitimate law enforcement agenda. The remarks, made in an interview with NBC News, have intensified scrutiny over the relationship between the Trump administration and the federal prosecutorial apparatus.

What Blanche Said

When asked directly whether he could guarantee that the Justice Department would always act independently of the White House, Blanche was unequivocal: “No, I’m not going to pledge that. And no Attorney General should ever pledge that.” He argued that such a commitment could prevent the DOJ from advancing the President’s lawful enforcement priorities.

Blanche, who previously served as President Donald Trump’s personal defence lawyer before his appointment as Attorney General, insisted that Trump “will never ask me to do something unethical or illegal.” He called suggestions to the contrary “completely a false narrative.”

On Presidential Influence Over Prosecutions

Blanche acknowledged that he would factor in the President’s views on individual prosecutorial decisions. “Will I take the President of the United States’ view on something into consideration? Yes, of course,” he said. He did, however, maintain that Trump had never directly ordered him to prosecute a specific individual, and pledged to push back when necessary: “I will always stand up for what’s right.”

He also said Trump does not expect unconditional agreement from his cabinet: “The President does not expect any of his leaders, including me, to just say yes to him no matter what he says.”

January 6 Pardons and Law Enforcement

The interview also addressed Trump’s pardons for individuals charged in connection with the 6 January 2021 attack on the US Capitol. Critics have argued those pardons contradict Blanche’s stated commitment to protecting law enforcement officers who were assaulted that day.

Blanche rejected that framing, drawing a constitutional distinction between prosecution and pardon. “The President’s pardon powers, any President’s pardon powers are not limited,” he said, adding that the DOJ would still prosecute anyone who assaulted law enforcement officers, and that a subsequent presidential pardon represents a separate constitutional authority.

Anti-Weaponisation Fund Ruled Out

Blanche also closed the door on reviving Trump’s proposed “anti-weaponisation fund,” a mechanism that would have compensated individuals who claimed they were wrongfully targeted by the federal government. “There is no fund. There will be no fund,” he stated.

Why This Matters

The remarks land amid an ongoing national debate about the independence of federal law enforcement under the second Trump administration. Blanche’s prior role as Trump’s personal attorney has already drawn questions about institutional distance. His explicit refusal to pledge DOJ independence — historically a cornerstone of the office — is likely to fuel further debate in Congress and among legal scholars about the boundaries of executive influence over federal prosecution.