The Trump administration took the first step on Friday toward stripping the American Bar Association of its longtime authority to accredit law schools. The Education Department recommended that the ABA no longer serve in that role.

The move escalates the administration's campaign against liberal ideological influence in higher education. Officials described the action as necessary to address concerns over the ABA's standards and practices in legal education.

Law school accreditation has long been handled by the ABA through its Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar. The recommendation represents an initial formal step in a process that could lead to the withdrawal of federal recognition for the ABA's accrediting function.

Supporters of the change argue that it will open the door to alternative accreditors and reduce the influence of what they view as entrenched progressive priorities in legal training. The Education Department action follows other recent efforts targeting perceived ideological capture at universities and professional organizations.

The recommendation was issued Friday afternoon. Further review and public comment periods are expected as part of the standard federal process for changing accreditor recognition. Law schools across the country will monitor developments closely, as federal student aid eligibility ties directly to accreditation status.