Consider This from NPR When it comes to harassment, are federal judges above the law?
34 snips
Mar 3, 2025 Carrie Johnson, NPR's justice correspondent, shines a light on the troubling realities within the federal court system. An extensive investigation reveals a toxic culture of harassment and intimidation, especially faced by law clerks. Victims share heart-wrenching stories of assault, struggling with the lack of protections and the fear of retaliation. The discussion uncovers the systemic issues that silence victims and explores legislative efforts aimed at enhancing accountability. Johnson’s insights underscore a need for change in how harassment is addressed in the judiciary.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
The Alaska Clerkship
- A recent law school graduate accepted a clerkship in Alaska, working directly under a federal judge.
- The judge's behavior escalated from inappropriate conversations to constant texting and eventually sharing explicit details about a prosecutor.
Alleged Assault
- After leaving her clerkship, the clerk encountered the judge at a party and later went to his apartment at his request.
- There, she alleges, he sexually assaulted her, a claim he disputes, saying the encounter was consensual.
Power Dynamics
- Federal judges hold significant power over a law clerk's career prospects.
- This power dynamic makes it difficult for clerks to challenge inappropriate behavior due to fear of retaliation.