US Justice Correspondent

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The role

We are looking for an enterprising correspondent to join our Washington DC bureau as US Justice Correspondent. This is a demanding and rewarding role, offering the opportunity to break agenda-setting stories and deliver insightful analysis at a moment of profound changes to the US justice system under president Donald Trump.

The successful candidate will have an excellent track record of cultivating sources and delivering scoops and will be expected to navigate the power corridors of Washington—building relationships across the Trump administration, state attorneys-general, the law enforcement apparatus more broadly, and law firms.

Specifically, the role will involve primary coverage of the Justice Department, including its antitrust division on key M&A deals, the Supreme Court, the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security. The reporter will also share coverage of cases in the lower courts where the federal government is a party.

The position is opening up at a time of profound transformation in Washington under Trump with regards to the judiciary and the rule of law, one of the pillars of American democracy. US prosecutors have launched probes against some of the president’s leading foes, from Jay Powell to James Comey and John Bolton, while the president is widely using pardons to the benefit of his political supporters, and figures who have been sympathetic to him.

The DOJ, FBI and DHS, which includes the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency, have been mobilised to support Trump’s mass deportation campaign, leading to verbal and legal clashes with state and local authorities where resistance is mounting. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court, with its conservative majority, is weighing a series of crucial cases involving the limits of Trump’s powers. Even as the Trump administration has broadly adopted a deregulatory agenda, it is still expected to selectively litigate and bring antitrust cases, as well as corporate and white collar prosecutions.

The successful candidate will be able to juggle the need to produce big scoops, compelling interviews and agenda-setting analysis. The job also requires the ability to sift through and make fast judgments about legal filings to determine which of them matter for a global business readership.

We are looking for a sharp, globally minded journalist who thrives under pressure and is comfortable with the intense demands of Washington reporting - and will involve participation in weekend, holiday and evening shifts to help coverage on other beats. We also want a team player who can collaborate with other members of the Washington bureau, as well as the legal, finance and deals reporters in New York and colleagues around the world.

Please submit your application by the end of the day, Monday March 2 2026.

Salary range

A reasonable estimate of the salary range for this role is $95,000 to $135,000. To ensure pay fairness, the successful candidate will be offered a salary within the estimated salary range based on a number of considerations including but not limited to: skill set; experience and training; certifications; and other business and organisational needs. This position is represented by the News Guild.

The use of AI

Original reporting, great writing and intelligent commentary lie at the heart of FT journalism. Our readers trust us to produce quality journalism that is accurate, fair and insightful. This is why FT editorial staff do not by default use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to write articles or create other reader-facing content. For specific and pre-approved cases, AI can be harnessed for certain tasks, such as assisting data research for investigations.

We expect applicants to the FT newsroom to refrain from using AI in their test submissions, and any written materials should be a genuine reflection of their own knowledge, skills and experiences. We encourage candidates only to employ AI as a tool to help with research and interview readiness for a role.

Candidates should be aware that the use of AI throughout the application process is monitored to ensure a fair and transparent hiring process for all.

Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion

We believe in the power of unique perspectives and want all voices in our organisation to be heard, respected and valued. A supportive workplace is one where employees feel they can be themselves and operate to their full potential. We are committed to removing barriers for everyone, with a focus on addressing those faced by underrepresented groups.

What’s in it for you? Our benefits

Our benefits vary by location but we are committed to providing best-in-class perks across all our offices. These include generous annual leave, medical cover, inclusive parental leave packages, subsidised gym memberships and opportunities to give back to the community. Full details of our benefits are available here.

FT Newsroom staff are expected to work onsite a minimum of three days per week, subject to role requirements and regular review. While flexible working requests will be considered, not all patterns are suitable for Editorial roles.

Accessibility

We are a disability confident employer and Valuable 500 signatory.

Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments/personalisation as part of the application process or to enable you to attend an interview. If you would like to discuss your requirements or have any questions, email [email protected] and a member of our team will be happy to help.

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