The Biden administration is accused of using a special hiring authority to “Trump-proof” the Department of Justice, according to an independent watchdog group. Protect the Public’s Trust warns that the administration is employing Schedule A hiring powers to appoint civil service employees without the usual competitive process, raising concerns that these appointees will be hard to remove under a future Trump administration.
Michael Chamberlain, director of Protect the Public’s Trust, pointed out that hundreds of attorneys have already been hired under this authority, which could protect Biden’s policies from reversal if Trump returns to office. The watchdog group’s findings, obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, show that the administration has appointed employees in critical DOJ divisions, including immigration judges and trial attorneys for environmental justice.
Chamberlain added that these appointments could prevent a new president from controlling the DOJ, as Schedule A hires receive civil service protections after two years. Federal regulations prohibit using this authority for policy-influencing roles, but the watchdog fears the Biden administration’s tactics could circumvent these rules.
The report also highlights how the administration is finalizing federal rules on climate change, abortion, and healthcare for illegal immigrants, creating further obstacles for any future administration aiming to roll back these progressive policies. Critics argue that this strategy undermines the democratic process by making it more difficult for a new president to reverse controversial rules.
