Labor Department instructs staff to cease interactions with American Bar Association

Labor Department Lawyer Criticizes American Bar Association

On Monday, the top lawyer at the Labor Department directed employees to stop participating in any official activities related to the American Bar Association (ABA), citing its connections to liberal activities. Jonathan Berry, an attorney appointed by Trump, stressed in an email that Department of Labor attorneys should not spend taxpayer money attending ABA events or make use of their government roles for this purpose.

Berry pointed out that the ABA has a tendency to be “strategically ambiguous” about its ideological leanings. He noted that the organization sometimes adopts non-ideological stances, while at other times clearly expresses radical views.

In a similar vein, the Justice Department also announced that it would no longer adhere to the ratings provided by the ABA for judicial candidates.

This email from Berry is part of a broader initiative from the Trump administration aimed at weakening the influence of the ABA, the country’s largest collective of legal professionals. Last year, federal funding for an ABA program was cut off, although a judge later ruled that this decision was unconstitutional. Additionally, the Federal Trade Commission indicated it would withdraw from the ABA’s antitrust division.

There has long been a belief among Republicans that the ABA promotes Democratic viewpoints, which they argue is harmful to conservative interests. The ABA’s website claims to be the “national voice of the legal profession” and outlines its commitment to various issues, including LGBTQ+ rights, abortion access, strict gun control measures, and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Furthermore, the ABA has publicly criticized former President Trump, asserting that his actions displayed a “widespread contempt for the rule of law.”

With significant power in areas like judicial nominations and the legal hiring process, the ABA also plays a role in law school accreditation. Last year, Attorney General Pam Bondi informed the ABA that the Justice Department would no longer share advance information about nominees, which previously allowed the ABA to evaluate candidates before their public announcement.

In his message, Berry suggested that the involvement of Labor Department attorneys with the ABA might only exacerbate existing issues within the organization.

He commented that while there might be some value in engaging with employer representatives at ABA events, such participation ultimately supports what he views as the ABA’s radical goals while masquerading as “neutral.”