Kerry Johnson

Johnson's walking us through the Rayburn House office building and into the Capitol to introduce the Judiciary Accountability Act. His bill would make clear the same legal protections for workers in the private sector and the executive branch also apply to the 30,000 people who work for the federal courts.

The legislation did not get a hearing before Congress left town last year, and Republicans now control both chambers of Congress. Reforms to the judicial branch are not a priority for them. From the Supreme Court on down, the judiciary has been resisting oversight, and so far, the judges are getting their way.

The legislation did not get a hearing before Congress left town last year, and Republicans now control both chambers of Congress. Reforms to the judicial branch are not a priority for them. From the Supreme Court on down, the judiciary has been resisting oversight, and so far, the judges are getting their way.

The legislation did not get a hearing before Congress left town last year, and Republicans now control both chambers of Congress. Reforms to the judicial branch are not a priority for them. From the Supreme Court on down, the judiciary has been resisting oversight, and so far, the judges are getting their way.

The people who work for federal judges, for probation departments, for public defenders, they can't go to the executive branch for help. and it's not clear they can sue in courts either.

The people who work for federal judges, for probation departments, for public defenders, they can't go to the executive branch for help. and it's not clear they can sue in courts either.

The people who work for federal judges, for probation departments, for public defenders, they can't go to the executive branch for help. and it's not clear they can sue in courts either.

In fact, many former clerks told me it's hard to even find a lawyer to give any advice because these complaint systems are so hard to understand and because the lawyers worry about getting on the bad side of a federal judge who may decide their own cases someday. Aliza Schatzman.

In fact, many former clerks told me it's hard to even find a lawyer to give any advice because these complaint systems are so hard to understand and because the lawyers worry about getting on the bad side of a federal judge who may decide their own cases someday. Aliza Schatzman.

In fact, many former clerks told me it's hard to even find a lawyer to give any advice because these complaint systems are so hard to understand and because the lawyers worry about getting on the bad side of a federal judge who may decide their own cases someday. Aliza Schatzman.

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.

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.

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.