An independent watchdog group has accused the Biden administration of using a special hiring process to “Trump-proof” the Department of Justice (DOJ) and block efforts by a future Trump presidency to reverse its policies. Protect the Public’s Trust obtained appointment records revealing that the administration is utilizing Schedule A hiring authority to bypass competitive job postings and install civil service employees into key DOJ roles.
According to Protect the Public’s Trust director Michael Chamberlain, this special hiring authority allows the administration to place hundreds of attorneys in positions that will be crucial for defending Biden’s policies. The Schedule A process gives appointees two years to transition into career civil service jobs, at which point they receive protections that make it difficult for a future administration to replace them.
One example of this strategy is the hiring of over 100 immigration judges, who will play a key role in deciding whether noncitizens can remain in the U.S. The Biden administration has also used this hiring method to appoint more than 150 attorneys to its Antitrust Division, which has been active in regulating private companies.
Critics argue that the administration’s actions are an attempt to cement progressive policies and limit a future president’s ability to reverse them. Chamberlain noted that federal regulations prohibit using Schedule A for policy-influencing roles, yet the watchdog group believes this is precisely what is happening at the DOJ.
