DOJ wants to shield its lawyers from outside scrutiny. Critics worry about oversight

Deep Dive Law DOJ wants to shield its lawyers from outside scrutiny. Critics worry about oversight April 25, 20265:00 AM ET Jaclyn Diaz Then-Attorney General Pam Bondi answers questions from the media at the U.S. Capitol on March 18, 2026. Bondi is one of several DOJ officials who've faced ethics complaints with state bar associations in recent years. Matt McClain/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Matt McClain/Getty Images The Justice Department wants to oversee the discipline of its attorneys — even as government lawyers face more questions from judges and watchdogs about their conduct. A DOJ rule that would allow the attorney general to step in and potentially delay state bar investigations into federal prosecutors has sparked a flurry of comments from attorneys general around the country, as well as from former prosecutors, legal ethics experts and judges. Critics say allowing the department to delay or sideline state investigations weakens one of the last independent checks on government lawyers. Michael Frisch, ethics counsel at the Georgetown University Law Center, sees this move "as part of a broad attack on the rule of law and … on the concept that lawyers should be ethically accountable for their actions. I think there's a great concern that these attempts to avoid accountability will de-legitimize the processes that have traditionally regulated lawyers." Sponsor Message Additionally, he said, it violates a 1998 federal law called the McDade-Murtha Amendment. That means any rule — once finalized — could be subject to legal challenge. Law The Justice Department is not acting like it used to, criminal defense lawyers note Under the current system, federal prosecutors can be subject to investigations by state bar associations, which license and discipline all attorneys. The proposed change would give the attorney general power to request a first review of complaints filed against current or former federal prosecutors for their actions while working for...