Politics

Attorney General Todd Blanche will not promise that the Justice Department acts independently of the White House. Asked directly on Sunday whether the DOJ would "always act independently," Trump's former personal lawyer, now one week into the job, gave a flat refusal and said the president should have a voice in individual prosecution decisions. The answer makes explicit what critics have long alleged: Trump's wishes can shape who gets investigated and prosecuted.

Karoline Leavitt, the youngest White House press secretary in history, is leaving the podium at the end of the month. President Trump announced the surprise departure Wednesday in a Truth Social post, saying Leavitt will exit to spend more time with her family. She is not leaving his orbit, though: Trump says she will become one of his top outside advisers heading into the midterms.