The DOJ official stepped down just two days after Republicans lost control of the House and Senate, setting the stage for increased scrutiny of Trump’s administration.
Harmeet Dhillon, the head of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, submitted her resignation Thursday, November 5, following the Republican Party’s losses in the 2026 midterm elections.
Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed that he had accepted her resignation in a statement on X, praising Dhillon for what he described as her commitment to defending civil liberties and enforcing the law. Dhillon also reflected on her tenure, calling the position the “honor of a lifetime.” In her farewell statement, she highlighted efforts to challenge diversity, equity and inclusion programs and oppose transgender participation in women’s and girls’ sports.
Her departure comes just two days after Democrats secured control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, setting the stage for increased congressional scrutiny of the Trump administration. During her leadership, the Civil Rights Division underwent a significant restructuring, with its enforcement priorities shifting toward issues central to the Trump administration’s agenda.
The division pursued legal action against universities over alleged discrimination, filed lawsuits seeking access to voter registration records in 30 states and Washington, D.C. It also brought a criminal case against former CNN journalist Don Lemon and protesters following a demonstration at a Minnesota church. Federal judges dismissed 27 of the lawsuits seeking state voter registration records, according to NBC News.
Dhillon’s departure prompted criticism from civil rights advocates and former Justice Department officials. Kristen Clarke, the NAACP’s general counsel and former head of the Civil Rights Division under President Joe Biden, accused Dhillon of abandoning federal civil rights enforcement responsibilities. Clarke said Dhillon had “abandoned cases, purged the work force and weaponized the Division to target institutions to achieve illegitimate, partisan goals.” Stacey Young, executive director of Justice Connection, also criticized Dhillon’s leadership
The resignation comes at a significant political moment as Democrats prepare to take control of both chambers of Congress. Dhillon, a longtime Republican election lawyer, had also maintained a visible presence in conservative media while promoting the administration’s civil rights agenda.
More About:Politics
Weekly New Episodes
Stream Now
