New Trump AG’s First Interview Goes Off the Rails

NBC News Attorney General Todd Blanche defended his absolute deference to Donald Trump during his first interview following his confirmation.

Blanche, who was confirmed on Aug.

8 after taking over from Pam Bondi in an acting capacity in March, appeared on Meet the Press on Sunday.

Host Kristen Welker first asked whether he could pledge to operate the Department of Justice independently from the White House’s whims, the idea of which he railed against.

Blanche, 52, stammered as he argued: “Well, there’s a big difference between saying, ‘We will always do our job and investigate any case’ and ‘act independently of the White House.’” “No, I’m not going to pledge that, and no attorney general should ever pledge that.” Trump’s former personal attorney then seemed to suggest that he saw “acting independently” as simply saying “no” to Trump, regardless of the duty of the DOJ.

“The president—I mean if I were to pledge that I will be independent of the White House, what that means is that if President Trump says, ‘I want the Department of Justice to go after every violent criminal in this country,’ which is what he has said, what you’re saying to me is I just say, ‘No, sir, not going to do it,’” he mocked.

In another question, Welker asked if Blanche would ever follow an illegal order from Trump , with the AG suggesting that the possibility was a smear made up by the left-wing media.

“The president would never ask me to do something illegal.

Never has, never will,” he stated.

Later, the duo locked horns over Trump’s pardoning of violent Jan.

6 rioters , many of whom attacked Capitol and D.C. police.

“How is that consistent with your pledge to always protect law enforcement?” Welker asked.

Blanche argued: “There is nothing inconsistent.

The president’s pardon powers—any president’s pardon powers—are not limited.” “Every attorney general vows to protect law enforcement, including me.