Todd Blanche rejects NBC anchor’s DOJ independence pledge, says Trump would never cross ‘legal line’

Newly confirmed Attorney General Todd Blanche rejected NBC host Kristen Welker's request Sunday on "Meet the Press" that he pledge the Justice Department (DOJ) would always act independently of the White House, arguing the agency must remain able to carry out lawful presidential policy priorities.

"No, I’m not going to pledge that. And no attorney general should ever pledge that," Blanche said.

Blanche used President Donald Trump’s directive to target violent criminals to distinguish...