Todd Blanche declines to promise independence from White House in NBC interview

“No, I’m not going to promise that,” he says in response to NBC’s question about whether he will act independently.

In the interview, Blanche, who was previously President Donald Trump’s lawyer and has held the position of acting attorney general since last spring, suggests that he will listen to Trump.

Will I take into account the US president’s stance on anything? Yes, absolutely, he says.

Critics have warned that Blanche could turn the Justice Department into a tool for Trump’s interests, especially after a fund was established this spring to compensate Trump supporters who believe they have been subject to improper investigations.

Blanche’s appointment was approved by the Senate by the narrowest margin after the fund was scrapped.