US EditionTrump Justice Department aims to limit ethics probes into its lawyers: Reuters
The Justice Department rule would allow the attorney general to pause state bar investigations into DOJ lawyers, potentially delaying probes into ethics complaints against Trump-era prosecutors.
- On March 4, 2026 the U.S. Justice Department submitted a proposed rule signed by Attorney General Pam Bondi that lets the attorney general review misconduct allegations and request state disciplinary authorities suspend investigations, opening for 30-day public comment starting Thursday.
- Several current and former Justice Department lawyers, including Ed Martin and Lindsey Halligan, face ethics complaints for actions since Trump returned last year, while a Washington, D.C. ethics panel recommended disbarment for Jeffrey Clark.
- Under the proposal, current or former Justice Department lawyers would be barred from assisting state probes until the attorney general's review ends, and it would not allow DOJ to end investigations, while state bar authorities would not have to defer to DOJ findings.
- The move could allow the attorney general to delay state probes by extending internal reviews, and Justice Department officials say the proposal stalls state-level disciplinary inquiries targeting Trump allies.
- All U.S. states maintain attorney-ethics rules, meaning the proposal could affect nationwide enforcement of misconduct standards like conflicts or dishonesty, impacting state bar authorities and cases like Jeffrey Clark's disbarment review last year.
28 Articles
28 Articles
Bondi skewered for 'sloppy and dishonest' plot to shield prosecutors from ethics probes
Under Attorney General Pam Bondi, the "sloppy and dishonest" Justice Department has proposed a new rule that would effectively block state bars from investigating federal prosecutors they license to practice in their state — but there's already a massive flaw in the plan that will make it nearly imp...
Trump Justice Department aims to limit ethics probes into its lawyers | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
WASHINGTON >> The U.S. Justice Department is seeking to constrain ethics investigations conducted at the state level into alleged misconduct by its lawyers, according to a proposed rule submitted on Wednesday that would shield prosecutors pursuing President Donald Trump’s agenda.
DOJ moves to block state ethics investigations against its attorneys
The Justice Department proposed a new rule that blocks state bar associations from investigating federal attorneys as the DOJ appointees face scrutiny over alleged ethics violations while enforcing the Trump administration‘s agenda. The policy proposal, signed by Attorney General Pam Bondi on Feb. 26, essentially grants the department the right to review ethics allegations against its former and current attorneys first before state bar disciplin…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 43% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
