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The NPR Politics Podcast

Federal Judges Aren't Subject To Workplace Harassment Laws

May 2, 2024
Tom Dreisbach, NPR's investigations correspondent known for his focus on ethics, joins the discussion on alarming gaps in workplace protections for federal judiciary employees. The podcast reveals how numerous judges failed to disclose lavish, privately-funded trips, raising ethical concerns. It also dives into the troubling climate of bullying faced by law clerks, complicating efforts to report misconduct. Furthermore, the conversation addresses declining public trust in the judicial system and the need for reforms to enhance transparency and accountability.
16:07

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Quick takeaways

  • Federal judges lack workplace harassment protections, fostering a hostile environment for employees.
  • Judges failing to disclose privately-funded trips to partisan events raises ethical concerns and potential bias issues.

Deep dives

Ethics Issues in the Federal Judiciary

The podcast delves into widespread ethics concerns within the federal judiciary. Workplace culture under federal judges reveals a lack of protection for employees, with instances of sexual harassment and bullying. The unique relationship between judges and law clerks, where power differentials exist, poses challenges. Despite low reported numbers of complaints, there are significant issues that impact law clerks' professional experiences.

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