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Blanche refuses to pledge DOJ independence from White House
USA Today • • general
Key Points:
- Attorney General Todd Blanche stated he would consider President Trump's views on prosecutions and declined to commit to an independent Department of Justice, emphasizing DOJ's role as part of the Executive branch.
- Blanche supports U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro's decision to drop the prosecution related to alleged vandalism at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, attributing the damage to contractors rather than vandals.
- Trump has publicly called for prosecutions against political figures such as former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, with the DOJ pursuing cases against Comey, though some charges have been dismissed due to legal challenges.
- Since Blanche's confirmation as attorney general, the DOJ has faced criticism for perceived politicization, following significant staff changes and a shift away from traditional prosecutorial independence under Trump's administration.
