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Justice Dept Seeks Rule Letting AG Override State Bar Complaints

4/25/2026

Summary

Story summary

The U.S. Justice Department proposed a rule letting the Attorney General intervene in state bar complaints after a surge in motivated complaints.
Democratic state attorneys general and the American Bar Association say the rule would erode state authority and may breach the 1998 McDade-Murtha Amendment.
Republican state attorneys general back the rule while Lawyers Defending American Democracy have filed ethics complaints naming former Attorney General Pam Bondi and Ed Martin.

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Story summary

The U.S. Justice Department proposed a rule letting the Attorney General intervene in state bar complaints after a surge in motivated complaints.
Democratic state attorneys general and the American Bar Association say the rule would erode state authority and may breach the 1998 McDade-Murtha Amendment.
Republican state attorneys general back the rule while Lawyers Defending American Democracy have filed ethics complaints naming former Attorney General Pam Bondi and Ed Martin.