Todd Blanche, in his first TV interview as attorney general, said he will coordinate the Justice Department with the White House but refused to pledge the DOJ will act independently. He insisted he is not a "yes man," acknowledged he would consider President Trump's views on prosecutorial matters, and defended the department's continued pursuit of state voter rolls. Blanche faced a contentious confirmation over concerns about politicization and a controversial $1.8 billion compensation fund; the DOJ has also seen large staff departures that have weakened institutional capacity.
Todd Blanche Refuses To Pledge DOJ Independence, Says He'll Consider Trump's Views While Rejecting 'Yes Man' Label
New Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the evolution of the Department of Justice under Trump. Blanche also said that Trump doesn't just want people who agree aruond him (NBC - Meet the Press)
Todd Blanche, in his first televised interview as U.S. attorney general, told NBC's Meet the Press that he will run the Department of Justice in coordination with the White House — and declined to pledge that the DOJ will act independently of the presidency. Blanche insisted he is not a "yes man," but acknowledged he would take President Trump's views into account on prosecutorial matters.
Key Exchange With Meet the Press
When host Kristen Welker asked whether he could pledge the DOJ would act independently from the White House, Blanche answered directly: "No, I am not going to pledge that — and no Attorney General should ever pledge that." He added that he would consider the president's perspective when weighing decisions such as reviving an abandoned prosecution. "Will I take the president of the United States' view on something into consideration? Yes. Of course," he said.
Two Republican senators, Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins, opposed Blanche's confirmation over concerns about the Justice Department being politicized (Getty)
"The president does not expect any of his leaders, including me, to just say yes to him no matter what he says," Blanche told Welker, rejecting the idea that the president issues daily orders to prosecutors.
Controversies From Confirmation
Blanche's confirmation was contentious. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins opposed his nomination over concerns the DOJ has become politicized under this administration. Other Republicans expressed misgivings but ultimately voted to confirm him. During the Senate process, Blanche faced intense scrutiny over a proposed nearly $1.8 billion fund intended to compensate people the White House described as victims of "politicized" prosecutions — a plan critics labeled a "slush fund." Blanche initially refused to promise in writing that the fund would never be used, though he repeatedly said it would not be deployed; he later provided written assurances only after pressure from the White House.
On Payments And January 6
Asked whether participants in the January 6 attack could still receive payments from the fund, Blanche said broadly that "anyone who sues the federal government could get paid." Critics said the comment left room for contentious interpretations about who might be eligible.
Blanche was grilled by Republicans on the DOJ 'weaponization fund' at his hearing. During a Sunday interview, he continued to insist it was dead (Getty)
Election Policy And Voter Rolls
Blanche also defended the Justice Department's continued efforts to obtain state voter rolls and other election-related data — a priority backed by President Trump. "No, we're not going to stop. Election integrity is something that President Trump ran on, and the American people elected him," he said, underscoring that these efforts will continue despite limited success so far.
Staff Exodus And Institutional Strain
The DOJ has suffered large departures in 2025 and 2026, with reports indicating more than 10,000 employees left the agency, including thousands of attorneys — roughly one-fifth of its lawyers overall. Those exits included many career leaders, eroding institutional knowledge and internal oversight. Reuters and other outlets reported that internal watchdog functions and other critical capabilities have been hollowed out, reducing the department's capacity to investigate and prosecute complex matters.
Inherited Controversies
Blanche also inherited lingering disputes from his predecessor, including criticisms of how the DOJ handled the Jeffrey Epstein investigation files. Senators pressed Blanche to meet with Epstein victims during his confirmation; he did so, but victims said they were unsatisfied with his responses. Still, the unresolved grievances did not prevent his confirmation.
What To Watch
Observers say Blanche's tenure will be judged on whether he can rebuild the department's capabilities and independence while operating under a president who has pushed for a more politically aligned DOJ. Key watch points include how he handles the $1.8 billion fund, the agency's role in election-related litigation, personnel rebuilding, and whether his stated refusal to be a "yes man" matches his decisions in high-profile investigations.
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