WASHINGTON, D.C: The U.S. Department of Justice has told its lawyers they can no longer attend or speak at events hosted by the American Bar Association (ABA). This is the latest step by former President Donald Trump's administration against the country's largest group of lawyers.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a memo that the ABA supports causes that go against the Justice Department's mission. He pointed out that the ABA had even sued to stop Trump from cutting foreign aid.

Blanche wrote that it doesn't make sense to spend taxpayer money on ABA events while the department is in legal battles with the group. He said the ABA can support activist causes if it wants, but the Justice Department shouldn't take part in events that might look like it's picking sides or being unfair.

The ABA didn't comment right away.

In the past, Justice Department officials used ABA events to announce new policies. For example, former Attorney General Merrick Garland spoke at one of their conferences last year.

But the Trump administration has criticized the ABA for claiming Trump was a threat to the rule of law and for defending judges and law firms under attack. A White House spokesperson once called the ABA a "snooty" group of "leftist lawyers."

Earlier this year, a top official at the Federal Trade Commission also banned political appointees from working with the ABA. The group is now facing pressure from Trump officials and Republicans to stop its efforts promoting diversity among lawyers and law students.

Attorney General Pam Bondi even warned that the ABA could lose its role as the official group that approves U.S. law schools unless it drops its diversity rules.