Kerry Johnson

The federal courts say they've done a lot to make sure workers are treated with dignity and respect. Court administrators say employees now have several ways to report problems. And when it comes to abusive or hostile behavior, they have more power to complain about their bosses than people who work outside.

But I've been told clerks who run into trouble on the job still face tremendous pressure to remain silent. A bad word from a judge can derail a clerk's career, while judges serve for life. I heard it again and again. Those judges who behave badly, often it's an open secret inside the courthouse. But nobody does anything about it.

But I've been told clerks who run into trouble on the job still face tremendous pressure to remain silent. A bad word from a judge can derail a clerk's career, while judges serve for life. I heard it again and again. Those judges who behave badly, often it's an open secret inside the courthouse. But nobody does anything about it.

But I've been told clerks who run into trouble on the job still face tremendous pressure to remain silent. A bad word from a judge can derail a clerk's career, while judges serve for life. I heard it again and again. Those judges who behave badly, often it's an open secret inside the courthouse. But nobody does anything about it.

Many clerks graduated from top law schools and pride themselves on their smarts and resilience, only to break down in tears when they talk about hostile treatment they suffered working for federal judges. The judiciary protects its own, one clerk told me. Another said, I can handle a tough boss. I can't handle an abusive boss. I just wish more people would talk about it.

Many clerks graduated from top law schools and pride themselves on their smarts and resilience, only to break down in tears when they talk about hostile treatment they suffered working for federal judges. The judiciary protects its own, one clerk told me. Another said, I can handle a tough boss. I can't handle an abusive boss. I just wish more people would talk about it.

Many clerks graduated from top law schools and pride themselves on their smarts and resilience, only to break down in tears when they talk about hostile treatment they suffered working for federal judges. The judiciary protects its own, one clerk told me. Another said, I can handle a tough boss. I can't handle an abusive boss. I just wish more people would talk about it.

TNCs apply.

TNCs apply.

TNCs apply.

Steven Salzberg spent years at Justice under Presidents Reagan and George H.W. Bush. He says alarm is actually an understatement about what's happening there. Prosecutors seem to be backing away from cases against people with ties to Donald Trump.

Steven Salzberg spent years at Justice under Presidents Reagan and George H.W. Bush. He says alarm is actually an understatement about what's happening there. Prosecutors seem to be backing away from cases against people with ties to Donald Trump.

Steven Salzberg spent years at Justice under Presidents Reagan and George H.W. Bush. He says alarm is actually an understatement about what's happening there. Prosecutors seem to be backing away from cases against people with ties to Donald Trump.

Salzberg says this actually started on Inauguration Day with Trump's clemency for more than 1,500 people who took part in the Capitol riot. He says it looks like Trump wanted to cut those people a break because they were acting on his behalf.

Salzberg says this actually started on Inauguration Day with Trump's clemency for more than 1,500 people who took part in the Capitol riot. He says it looks like Trump wanted to cut those people a break because they were acting on his behalf.

Salzberg says this actually started on Inauguration Day with Trump's clemency for more than 1,500 people who took part in the Capitol riot. He says it looks like Trump wanted to cut those people a break because they were acting on his behalf.

It absolutely is. After Trump returned to the White House, prosecutors abandoned their obstruction case against two of his aides at the Mar-a-Lago resort. Walt Nauta and Carlos de Oliveira allegedly helped Trump hide classified documents from the FBI. And Trump's spoken a lot lately about how the Justice Department went after him.

It absolutely is. After Trump returned to the White House, prosecutors abandoned their obstruction case against two of his aides at the Mar-a-Lago resort. Walt Nauta and Carlos de Oliveira allegedly helped Trump hide classified documents from the FBI. And Trump's spoken a lot lately about how the Justice Department went after him.

It absolutely is. After Trump returned to the White House, prosecutors abandoned their obstruction case against two of his aides at the Mar-a-Lago resort. Walt Nauta and Carlos de Oliveira allegedly helped Trump hide classified documents from the FBI. And Trump's spoken a lot lately about how the Justice Department went after him.

He says that gave him an appreciation for the plight of other politicians accused of wrongdoing. That's really showed. In recent weeks, DOJ dropped a case against former Nebraska Congressman Jeff Fortenberry. Prosecutors in Nashville withdrew from an investigation against Republican Congressman Andy Ogles.