FTC Bars Staff From ABA, Cuts All Government Ties Over Bias Claims

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has officially prohibited its political appointees from associating with the American Bar Association (ABA), severing all connections between the agency and the legal group. FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson announced the decision, calling the ABA an extension of the Democratic Party and citing its pattern of political activism.

Under the new directive, FTC officials are banned from holding leadership positions in the ABA, attending its events, or using government funds to cover membership fees. Ferguson pointed to the ABA’s recent criticism of the Trump administration’s policies, particularly its efforts to reform USAID and eliminate taxpayer-funded diversity programs, as evidence of its political agenda.

Ferguson further accused the ABA of having a financial interest in opposing these changes, highlighting that the organization received over $39 million in taxpayer-funded contracts from USAID and the State Department in the past year. He argued that the ABA’s opposition to Trump’s policies was not about defending the rule of law, but rather about protecting its own funding streams.

Sen. Mike Lee welcomed the FTC’s move, criticizing the ABA’s long history of providing negative ratings for conservative judicial nominees while favoring left-leaning candidates. He also questioned why the Senate Judiciary Committee continues to treat the ABA as an impartial evaluator.

Elon Musk added his voice to the discussion, calling the ABA a “far-left political organization.” With the FTC taking a firm stance, there is speculation that other agencies could soon follow suit in cutting ties with the group.

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