In a recent directive, Deputy U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche announced that attorneys from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) are now prohibited from attending, speaking at, or participating in events hosted by the American Bar Association (ABA). This decision stems from the perceived conflict of interest due to the ABA’s lawsuit against the DOJ in the case of Global Health Council, et al. v. Trump, et al., filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
The memo underscores the necessity for the DOJ to maintain independence in order to uphold its mission of administering justice in a fair and balanced manner. Blanche emphasized the importance of the DOJ appearing unbiased to uphold the department’s commitments to the government’s statutory and policy decisions. More details can be found in the recent coverage.