The future of the nation’s primary law‑school accreditor now rests with the Trump administration. An 8‑8 split on the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI) left the decision to Under Secretary of Education Nicholas Kent, who has up to 90 days to act.

Panel raises concerns over ABA independence

NACIQI Chairman Jay Greene told Fox News Digital that every member agreed the American Bar Association (ABA) is not sufficiently separate from its trade‑association functions, violating federal requirements for institutional accreditors. The panel’s split centered on whether the ABA could remedy those structural issues.

ABA defends its record

Melissa Hart, chair of the ABA Accreditation Council, cited the organization’s uninterrupted recognition since 1952 and a 74‑year history of compliance with Department of Education standards. She emphasized the ABA’s commitment to reliable accreditation of J.D. programs.

Legal advocates push for change

Reed Rubinstein, senior vice president of America First Legal and former Education Department counsel, called the ABA’s recent repeal of a controversial diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) standard a “ruse to retain power.” He argued the standard conflicted with Supreme Court rulings and the Civil Rights Act, urging the Trump administration to permanently strip the ABA of its federal status.

Potential impact of a decision

If Kent moves to revoke the ABA’s recognition, the long‑standing monopoly over law‑school accreditation would end. While university‑affiliated schools could rely on broader institutional accreditors for federal student‑aid eligibility, roughly a dozen stand‑alone law schools might need to seek alternative accreditation. State supreme courts would likely need to adjust bar‑admission rules to accommodate graduates from non‑ABA schools.

States already acting

Texas led the way in January, with its Supreme Court eliminating reliance on the ABA and adopting a state‑run approval process. Florida followed nine days later, and other states such as Ohio, Tennessee, Alabama and Washington are considering similar measures.

Department of Justice statements highlighted that the ABA’s “cartel‑like control drives up costs, limits access, and pushes ideological mandates over merit.” Rubinstein added that returning authority to state courts could improve legal education quality, accountability and transparency for the public.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.