Story perspectives

Education Department Recommends Revoking ABA’s Accreditor Status

8/22/2026

Center

Dept Revokes ABA

On August 21, 2026, the U.S. Department of Education recommended revoking the American Bar Association’s accreditor status for U.S. law schools.
President Donald Trump's April 2025 order directed Education Secretary Linda McMahon to assess suspending the ABA’s accreditor status over DEI requirements.
Department staff found the ABA Accreditation Council not independent from the ABA, violating accreditation rules.
Melissa Hart, ABA Accreditation Council chair, said council will meet advisory committee about concerns.

Right

DOE Targets ABA

The U.S. Department of Education recommended revoking the American Bar Association’s status as accreditor of U.S. law schools on August 21, 2026.
Administration says ABA’s accreditation inflates law-school tuition and advances DEI ideology, prompting a push to replace it.
Undersecretary Nicholas Kent will decide after a bipartisan advisory committee reviews the recommendation in September.
Higher Education Act lets secretary end accreditation after notice, hearing, and a twelve-month compliance period.

Blindspot

Higher-education experts said only about nine law schools depend on ABA recognition for federal student-aid eligibility, so revoking the status would likely have limited impact.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Center-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Right-leaning coverage.

History

Historical Context

Congress first gave the Department of Education power to strip accrediting agencies in the 1995 Higher Education Amendments, a revision of the 1965 Higher Education Act signed by President Bill Clinton and funded with $150 million for compliance monitoring. On August 21 2026 the department invoked that authority to recommend revoking the American Bar Association’s accreditor status, threatening federal aid for nine law schools.

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Dept Revokes ABA

On August 21, 2026, the U.S. Department of Education recommended revoking the American Bar Association’s accreditor status for U.S. law schools.
President Donald Trump's April 2025 order directed Education Secretary Linda McMahon to assess suspending the ABA’s accreditor status over DEI requirements.
Department staff found the ABA Accreditation Council not independent from the ABA, violating accreditation rules.
Melissa Hart, ABA Accreditation Council chair, said council will meet advisory committee about concerns.

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