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RainCaster

(13,482 posts)
Thu Feb 12, 2026, 12:24 AM 18 hrs ago

Attorneys: can't the Bar do anything?

I'm not an attorney, and I didn't play one on TV. Like most of us, I use them when needed, but I understand very little about how they work.

What I want to know is- why isn't the Bar Association taking a vocal stand against the obvious abuses of our legal system? Pam Bondi shouldn't be practicing law IMO, but then again, I'm not an attorney. Those of you who are, please explain why the Bar has remained so silent.

My example is the Attorney General, but the question is really applicable to all the members of the Trump administration who are attorneys.

7 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Attorneys: can't the Bar do anything? (Original Post) RainCaster 18 hrs ago OP
post Trump admin lapfog_1 18 hrs ago #1
I second your question ... I don't understand how she Greywing 18 hrs ago #2
I share your dismay. They've taken steps, but the lies to courts and congress, corruption, legal abuses, pat_k 18 hrs ago #3
I'd like to know this too Skittles 18 hrs ago #4
She's barred in Florida. Bondi is NOT getting disbarred. PeaceWave 18 hrs ago #5
K&R canetoad 16 hrs ago #6
ABA doesn't equal the State Bars DetroitLegalBeagle 12 hrs ago #7

lapfog_1

(31,802 posts)
1. post Trump admin
Thu Feb 12, 2026, 12:33 AM
18 hrs ago

she likely faces disbarment for a number of legal abuses.

But then her career path is set to become yet another Fox or NewsMax host so...

or even just join Turn my stomach point, errp Turning Point as yet another shouty McShout face in fake debates with token "liberals".

Greywing

(1,163 posts)
2. I second your question ... I don't understand how she
Thu Feb 12, 2026, 12:36 AM
18 hrs ago

Can continue as AG when it seems DOJ is just catering to an individual bent on revenge that he deems as not being nice to him. It seems obvious to me that she has broken her oath of office and with that should be removed from office (as should at least the majority of the cabinet). It is just outrageous!

pat_k

(12,865 posts)
3. I share your dismay. They've taken steps, but the lies to courts and congress, corruption, legal abuses,
Thu Feb 12, 2026, 12:43 AM
18 hrs ago

... and on and on, call for disbarments, or something. It seems to me that violations of ethics and outright crimes are being committed in plain sight without consequence.

I asked AI (Gemini) the following:
What has the American Bar Association done in response to the abuses of the Trump administration and abuses by attorneys serving in the administration?

In 2025-2026, the American Bar Association (ABA) took direct legal and policy action against the Trump administration regarding alleged abuses, including filing a lawsuit in June 2025 to stop the administration's "unlawful policy of intimidation" against lawyers and law firms. The ABA has adopted resolutions defending the independence of the judiciary, condemned threats against judges, and formally challenged executive orders targeting diversity initiatives and legal representation.

Key Actions Against Administration Actions:

Lawsuit Against Intimidation: The ABA filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia challenging executive orders that pressured law firms to abandon clients or legal positions opposed by the administration. The suit argues these actions violate the First Amendment and separation of powers.

Resolution 509: The ABA House of Delegates passed this resolution to affirm that no government actor should punish or threaten lawyers, law firms, or organizations for representing clients with positions disfavored by the administration.

Judicial Defense: The ABA has actively defended the judiciary against rhetoric questioning its legitimacy and passed policies against the harassment of judges and court personnel.

Critique of Legal Tactics: The association has highlighted the need for ethical conduct among attorneys in government, with calls for state bar associations to investigate potential violations by attorneys in the administration.


Response to Specific Abuses:

Targeting of Legal Counsel: The ABA has stated that the administration's actions have, at times, made it difficult for the association itself to secure representation for legal matters challenging the government.

Defense of Rule of Law: Following inauguration, the ABA condemned the administration's attempts to dismantle agency functions and threaten the rule of law.

Immigration Policies: The ABA House of Delegates has adopted positions targeting administration immigration enforcement tactics deemed unlawful.


The ABA has continued to issue statements emphasizing that these actions represent a severe, unconstitutional overreach that threatens the legal profession and the rule of law.


DetroitLegalBeagle

(2,475 posts)
7. ABA doesn't equal the State Bars
Thu Feb 12, 2026, 06:36 AM
12 hrs ago

The ABA is a professional organization. They do not license, discipline, or have power over lawyers. The vast majority lawyers are not even members of the ABA. It's up to the Florida State Bar to discipline Bondi and being that its Florida I doubt that will happen. Also, the Attorney General does not need to be an actual lawyer. I believe basically all have been, but Constitutionally its not required.

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