Trump's hiring freeze Forum

[BVest]

This is a ridiculous thread. Trump's inauguration will have no effect on clerkships. Even if he finds creative and unique ways to test the separation of powers.

[rpupkin]

This is a ridiculous thread. Trump's inauguration will have no effect on clerkships. Even if he finds creative and unique ways to test the separation of powers.

For the record, I agree with the bolded, at least for the short term. But looking long term, I could easily see a Republican president and Republican-controlled Congress eliminating clerkship positions--e.g., "30 years ago, COA judges got along just fine with two clerks. Why do they need four?"

[grand inquisitor]

compared to the bloat in the executive and legislative branches, i would be shocked if the relative bargain of the judiciary got into the crosshairs of the administration on any issue other than nominations.

[Anonymous User]

When I clerked for the 9th Circuit, Fox and some republican congressmen came out and said that the 9th Circuit judge's retreat in Hawaii was a waste of money. They ended up shortening it and then (I think) cancelling the clerk's orientation event in San Francisco. Maybe some more of that?

Tbf, if someone asked me to find some fat to trim in the judiciary, I'd probably recommend that clerk salaries be cut in half, because all us prestige whores would still beg for the job at almost any pay.

[Anonymous User]

Agreed that clerk salaries aren't the first thing on Trump's agenda, but it seems like the judiciary committee has been looking seriously at cost containment in the judiciary again recently. See http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-16-97.