Justice Department's independence is threatened as Trump's team asserts power over cases and staff

[Seeking Serenity]

7. When has the DoJ ever been an "independent" agency? How does that even work?

The attorney general is a Cabinet position and is appointed by the president. She reports and is answerable to the president. She serves at his pleasure. Just like Merrick Garland and Eric Holder did. Unlike in most states, the office of attorney general is not a constitutional or an elected office. Moreover, senior Justice Dept positions are also appointed by the president.

Has the Congress ever tried to declare it by statute to be an entity independent of the president? Would that even be constitutional? Who would the AG be answerable to? It couldn't be the Congress (separation of powers).

I have questions.