Justice Department Cuts Ties with ABA Over Judicial Nominee Ratings
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has formally ended its longstanding cooperation with the American Bar Association (ABA) in the judicial nomination process, citing concerns over alleged bias in the organization’s ratings system, as per Fox News.
In a letter sent Thursday to ABA President William R. Bay, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that the DOJ would no longer provide the ABA with early access to judicial nominees or accommodate its vetting process. The letter, previewed by Fox News, marks a significant departure from decades of precedent in how the department has engaged with the nation’s largest legal association.
“For several decades, the American Bar Association has received special treatment and enjoyed special access to judicial nominees,” Bondi wrote. “Some administrations even allowed the ABA to review potential nominees before their names were made public, basing nomination decisions in part on the ABA’s ratings.”
The DOJ now considers this preferential treatment unjustified.
“The ABA is free to offer opinions on judicial nominees like any other organization,” Bondi added, “but it will no longer receive unique privileges in doing so.”
As part of the change, the DOJ will shut down an internal policy office that previously facilitated ABA access to confidential materials, such as bar records and background waivers from nominees. Future judicial nominees will not complete ABA questionnaires or participate in interviews with the organization.
This shift follows increasing Republican criticism of the ABA, particularly from members of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Some have expressed concerns about perceived political leanings within the organization, accusing it of favoring nominees from Democratic administrations and promoting ideological agendas, including diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts.
Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) previously described the ABA as a “radical left-wing advocacy group.”
The Trump administration had previously taken steps to distance itself from the ABA during its first term, echoing similar moves made under President George W. Bush. The latest announcement solidifies the DOJ’s stance under President Trump’s current term.
Founded in the late 19th century, the ABA has grown to represent more than 400,000 members of the legal profession. It has yet to issue a public response to the DOJ’s decision.
