Trump Administration Moves to Strip ABA of Law School Accreditor Status

The U.S. Department of Education moved on Friday to revoke the American Bar Association’s longstanding recognition as the official accreditor of U.S. law schools, escalating tensions between President Donald Trump’s administration and the prominent legal organization.

The ABA has served as the federally recognized law school accreditor since 1952. In a report released Friday, Education Department staff concluded that the ABA’s Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar does not meet federal requirements for being “separate and independent” from the broader organization.

Officials also criticized the ABA for taking too long to revise accreditation standards related to diversity. An Education Department spokesperson said a review determined that the organization was “out of compliance with the agency’s accreditation regulations and recognition standards.”

Losing federal recognition could have significant consequences for U.S. law schools. Some institutions could face disruptions to federal student loan access, while graduates could encounter additional obstacles when seeking to take bar examinations or obtain attorney licenses across different states.

The recommendation is not yet final. A bipartisan federal accreditation advisory committee is scheduled to consider the Education Department’s findings in September, with a final decision expected several months later.

Melissa Hart, chair of the ABA’s legal education council, said the organization plans to “address any misconceptions and clarify the record” before the advisory committee. She expressed confidence that the council can resolve the department’s concerns.

The dispute follows an April 2025 executive order from Trump directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to consider suspending or terminating the ABA’s accreditor recognition, citing what the administration described as unlawful diversity, equity and inclusion requirements.

Relations have deteriorated further as the ABA challenged the administration over canceled domestic violence grants and executive orders targeting law firms. The Justice Department has also restricted its attorneys from participating in ABA events and reduced the organization’s traditional role in evaluating judicial nominees.

Meanwhile, the ABA’s legal education council has moved to eliminate its law school DEI accreditation requirement despite the broader organization’s policymaking body voting earlier this month against removing the rule.