Justice Dept. Ends ABA Role in Judicial Vetting

Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that the Department of Justice will no longer allow the American Bar Association (ABA) special access to federal judicial nominees, citing alleged liberal bias in the ABA's ratings. The DOJ will prohibit nominees from sharing non-public information or participating in the ABA's vetting process. This move aligns with similar restrictions imposed by previous Republican administrations, including George W. Bush and Donald Trump. Critics and some legal experts dispute claims of systematic discrimination against Republican nominees, pointing out that many Trump nominees have been rated 'well-qualified' by the ABA. The ABA, a voluntary lawyers' association, has not yet responded to the new restrictions. The decision marks another step in curtailing the ABA's longtime role in judicial nominations.