Trump administration moves to strip bar association’s power to accredit law schools – WSJ
The Trump administration’s feud with the American Bar Association has escalated, with the Education Department threatening to strip the ABA of its power to accredit law schools nationwide.
Career staff at the department recommended that the ABA lose the federal recognition required to operate as an accreditor. In a report made public Friday, they said the ABA, which accredits nearly 200 law schools, had failed to keep its accreditation and trade-group functions “separate and independent,” undermining its effectiveness.
The ABA oversees law school quality and determines whether unaffiliated law schools can receive federal student aid. Trump and Republican lawmakers have accused the ABA of liberal bias, promoting diversity, equity and inclusion, and having a monopoly on legal education oversight.
David Barker, assistant secretary for postsecondary education, told the Wall Street Journal that accreditation generally operates like a “cartel,” allowing accreditors to impose political preferences when there is no competition.
ABA accreditation council chair Melissa Hart said that the council complies with federal requirements and laws and is confident it will address the department’s concerns.
The Education Department last approved the ABA in 2021, with its five-year designation up for review next month. The administration is seeking broader accreditation changes, including greater intellectual diversity, more competition and separation between accreditors and trade associations.
Tensions have also included Justice Department criticism and an ongoing ABA lawsuit challenging Trump’s actions against law firms. A judge rejected the administration’s effort to dismiss the case.
An independent advisory board will consider the department’s recommendation next month, followed by a senior department official. If recognition is withdrawn and upheld, the ABA can appeal to Education Secretary Linda McMahon.
If McMahon rejects the appeal, university-affiliated law schools could use their university’s accreditor, while unaffiliated schools would need to find a new one.
