India, Aug. 16 -- US Attorney General Todd Blanche declined on Sunday to promise that the Department of Justice would always act independently of the White House, telling a national television audience that no attorney general should ever make such a pledge. His remarks have reignited concerns over the department's autonomy under US President Donald Trump.

Appearing on NBC's "Meet the Press", Blanche was pressed by host Kristen Welker on whether he could guarantee the Justice Department would operate free of political direction from the president.

"No, I'm not going to pledge that," Blanche shot back. "And no attorney general ever should." Welker followed up by asking whether he would carry out an instruction from Trump that he felt cro...