The U.S. Department of Justice has officially ended its longstanding practice of providing the American Bar Association (ABA) with special access to federal judicial nominees, signaling a sharp departure from tradition.
Under the new policy, the DOJ will no longer submit nominee names to the ABA for early evaluation, nor will it facilitate exclusive interviews or share confidential background details. The decision comes amid growing criticism that the ABA’s ratings have displayed partisan leanings, with recent accusations pointing to a consistent favorability toward nominees from Democratic administrations.
Attorney General Pam Bondi clarified that the ABA will now be treated like any other outside organization. Judicial nominees are no longer required to complete separate ABA questionnaires, effectively cutting off the association’s influence in the vetting process.
The move follows President Trump’s latest wave of judicial nominations, including several figures with strong ties to his administration. The decision is expected to accelerate the confirmation process and reflects a broader push by the administration to reshape the federal judiciary without outside interference.