The NPR Politics Podcast

NPR Exclusive: Harassment In The Federal Judiciary

23 snips
Feb 25, 2025
Carrie Johnson, NPR's national justice correspondent and lead reporter on a groundbreaking investigation, discusses the troubling climate of harassment in the federal judiciary. She reveals the stark lack of job protections for court employees and the pervasive fear of retaliation that silences victims. Johnson connects the judiciary's challenges to broader accountability issues and highlights the urgent need for reforms. The conversation also draws parallels to the military’s handling of similar issues and emphasizes the ongoing silence surrounding these abuses.
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ANECDOTE

Few Clerks Report Misconduct

  • Only seven law clerks reported their judges for misconduct between 2021 and 2024.
  • Carrie Johnson's investigation reveals far more anecdotal accounts of bullying and harassment.
INSIGHT

Power Dynamics in Clerkships

  • Clerkships significantly impact legal careers, with judges' recommendations holding immense weight.
  • This power dynamic creates vulnerability for clerks facing harassment.
INSIGHT

At-Will Employment in the Courts

  • Many law clerks are unaware of the at-will nature of their employment within the federal court system.
  • This precarious situation makes them vulnerable to exploitation and hesitant to report misconduct.
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