The U.S. Justice Department has proposed a rule that would give Attorney General Pam Bondi authority to review and potentially delay state-level ethics investigations into DOJ lawyers. The draft regulation, signed by Bondi, would require state bar associations to suspend investigations while the attorney general conducts a review, effectively allowing the DOJ to stall proceedings against its attorneys.

This move targets bar associations and professional organizations that investigate misconduct allegations against lawyers, including cases involving dishonesty or professional breaches. The proposal comes amid multiple ethics complaints against current and former DOJ lawyers, including pardon attorney Ed Martin and prosecutor Lindsey Halligan, who faced disbarment proceedings for actions during Trump's administration. Jeffrey Clark, a former DOJ official, previously faced disbarment recommendations for attempting to overturn the 2020 election results.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the proposal at a Federalist Society conference, calling state-level investigations against Trump allies "weaponized" actions by "activist bars." The 30-day public comment period begins Thursday. While the rule wouldn't allow the DOJ to outright terminate investigations, it would require state authorities to defer to internal DOJ findings. The proposal reflects broader tensions between federal prosecutors and state bar associations over accountability for alleged misconduct.