The NPR Politics Podcast
NPR Exclusive: Harassment In The Federal Judiciary
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.
13:24
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Quick takeaways
- The federal judiciary lacks adequate job protections for employees, creating a culture of fear that discourages reporting sexual harassment and bullying.
- Despite some reforms post-Me Too, there are significant obstacles to accountability and transparency within the decentralized federal court system.
Deep dives
Investigating Sexual Harassment in the Federal Courts
An investigation has uncovered significant issues related to sexual harassment and bullying within the federal court system. Many employees reported feeling trapped in a culture where power dynamics leave little room for recourse against problematic behavior by judges. Despite the implementation of some policies in response to the Me Too movement, glaring flaws remain in how these cases are handled. The federal judiciary operates with some employees lacking protection under civil rights laws, making it particularly challenging for victims to seek justice when faced with harassment.
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