Pam Bondi Circles The Wagons -- Tom Sullivan

[erronis]

https://digbysblog.net/2026/03/07/pam-bondi-circles-the-wagons/

Proposes Get Out of Disbarment rule

Dahlia Lithwick and Mark Joseph Stern discussed a proposal from AG Pam Bondi for shielding Department of Justice lawyers from professional accountability for unethical behavior. A new rule would "block state bars from investigating and punishing DOJ lawyers accused of violating state ethics requirements."

And it would do that in an oh-so-Trumpian manner. Through endless delay (Slate):

Under this rule, Attorney General Pam Bondi could freeze state bars' probes until the department has undertaken its own independent review of any allegations--a black-box process that could stretch on extensively. Wielding this new power, Bondi could essentially quash any state investigations into ethics violations by DOJ lawyers, including accusations that these front-line attorneys lied in court, by allowing "reviews" that might last indefinitely. If upheld, the rule would bail out the many, many DOJ lawyers who allegedly breached their ethical obligations in defending the Trump administration.

And even better than Trump's endless court appeals, no judges need be involved here.

The New York Times reported on Thursday that the now-infamous Lindsey Halligan is under investigation by the Florida bar association and faces possible disbarment over alleged misconduct. The action in Florida, the Times suggests, "could serve as a check on administration lawyers who have been accused by judges of pushing the boundaries of the law or intentionally misleading the courts" as well as "deter attorneys considering working for the Justice Department." After so many experienced DOJ lawyers quit or were fired soon after Trump regained the White House, Bondi finds herself shorthanded.

. . .

[Walleye]

1. Can they do this? I remember when lawyers were required to be ethical. They celebrated when Bill Clinton was disbarred

I don’t remember if he was disbarred, but I remember he lost his law license for five years

[Raven123]

2. Another attempt from the states right party to infringe on states' rights

Don’t think it will be work. States make their own rules. Also, remember what has happened with the juries. Let the people know a corrupt or suspected corrupt attorney is at work and the juries may just not indict or convict in those cases they bring.