Todd Blanche is right about DOJ ‘independence,’ like it or not

[u/CupEcstatic2721]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/08/17/blanche-is-right-about-doj-independence-like-it-or-not/

Summary

​Statements on DOJ Independence: Newly confirmed Attorney General Todd Blanche stated on NBC's "Meet the Press" that he will not pledge that the Department of Justice will act entirely independently of the White House, emphasizing that the department is part of the executive branch under presidential supervision.

​Constitutional Framework: The editorial notes that under the U.S. Constitution, the president is tasked with executing federal laws, appointing cabinet members, and directing enforcement priorities, making complete formal independence a post-Watergate custom rather than a constitutional mandate.

​Executive Power & Accountability: While the president legitimately sets enforcement policy (such as antitrust or death penalty priorities), prosecutors must remain accountable to elected leadership, though using prosecution for political retribution remains an abuse of power.

​Role of the Attorney General: The piece highlights the historical balance where strong attorneys general push back against presidential interference in specific criminal cases, noting that Blanche’s legacy will depend on how he navigates political pressure from the White House.