On June 10, 2025, ABA President William R. Bay sent a formal letter to U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi expressing deep concern over the Department of Justice’s decision to restrict the ABA Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary from accessing judicial nominees and relevant information—an unprecedented move after 72 years of collaboration.
Bay emphasized that the Standing Committee conducts nonpartisan, in-depth peer evaluations of nominees’ professional qualifications—integrity, competence, and temperament—without regard to ideology or politics. These evaluations include reviews of legal writings and dozens of confidential interviews. The letter clarifies that 96.9% of nominees across administrations, including under President Trump, received Qualified or Well Qualified ratings, contradicting claims of partisan bias.
The ABA urged the DOJ to reconsider its decision, warning that reduced transparency undermines public trust and the Senate’s constitutional role in judicial confirmations.