An independent watchdog group is raising concerns that the Biden administration is working to “Trump-proof” the Department of Justice (DOJ) ahead of a potential Trump return to the White House. The nonpartisan organization, Protect the Public’s Trust, obtained documents showing that the administration is using a special authority known as Schedule A to hire career civil servants without competition, ensuring these employees would be difficult to replace.
Michael Chamberlain, director of Protect the Public’s Trust, explained that this hiring process bypasses the usual competitive methods, allowing the administration to appoint hundreds of attorneys into key positions. These hires could then receive civil service protections, making it difficult for a future Trump administration to remove or replace them.
The Biden administration’s efforts to place ideologically aligned individuals in the DOJ and other federal agencies raise concerns about attempts to cement progressive policies. For example, the administration used this special authority to hire more than 100 immigration judges and over 150 antitrust attorneys.
Chamberlain warned that this strategy, along with a rush to finalize progressive federal rules, is part of a broader effort to prevent a Trump presidency from reversing Biden’s agenda. The watchdog’s findings indicate that the administration’s moves could significantly impact future administrations’ ability to shift policy direction. The White House has not responded to requests for comment.
