Justice Department Civil Rights Chief Harmeet Dhillon Resigns Following Midterms

Harmeet Dhillon resigned as the assistant attorney general for the civil rights division on Thursday following the Democratic Party victory in the congressional midterm elections.

Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the departure on social media, becoming the first senior official to exit the administration after the congressional losses.

Dhillon served 18 months in the position, during which she redirected the division toward conservative priorities such as challenging diversity programs and investigating university policies.

Todd Blanche praised her service on X, saying she had led the division with conviction.

“Today, I accepted the resignation of Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, who led the Civil Rights Division with conviction the past 18 months,” said Todd Blanche, the attorney general.

Dhillon oversaw the replacement of hundreds of career attorneys and pursued numerous legal actions against universities and states regarding voter data and campus policies.

“We ushered in the downfall of illegal DEI, we fought to protect women and girls’ sports, and so much more,” said Harmeet Dhillon, the assistant attorney general.

The enforcement shift drew sharp criticism from department alumni and legal observers who argued the unit abandoned its traditional mandate of protecting minority rights.

“Harmeet Dhillon has been the most destructive, lawless, and hateful head of the Civil Rights Division in DOJ history,” said Stacey Young, a former division attorney.

According to Reuters, two people familiar with the matter reported that Dhillon was also frustrated by being overlooked for promotions within the department.

Dhillon told Fox News she resigned of her own volition after coordinating the timing of her announcement with White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.

Dhillon is expected to return to her private law practice following her departure from the Justice Department.