Washington, D.C. – Harmeet K. Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee's Constitution subcommittee on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at 2:30 PM. The hearing, titled "Ending Illegal DEI Discrimination and Preferences," focused on the Justice Department's intensified efforts to combat practices it views as discriminatory under the guise of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Dhillon announced her appearance on social media, stating:
"At 2:30 today, I’ll be testifying before Senate Judiciary, Constitution subcommittee … Ending Illegal DEI Discrimination & Pref..."
During her testimony, Ms. Dhillon reiterated her commitment to enforcing civil rights laws to ensure equal treatment for all Americans, regardless of race or background. She emphasized that the Civil Rights Division would aggressively pursue instances of illegal discrimination, asserting that many DEI programs often lead to "reverse discrimination" or create unlawful preferences based on race, ethnicity, or other protected characteristics. This stance aligns with her previous statements during her confirmation hearing in February 2025, where she pledged to enforce laws against those "blatantly discriminating in the name of DEI."
The DOJ's Civil Rights Division, under Dhillon's leadership, has significantly escalated its scrutiny of DEI programs across federal agencies, educational institutions, and private corporations. The department is reportedly initiating investigations into hiring practices, admissions policies, and scholarship programs that it believes may violate anti-discrimination statutes. Ms. Dhillon outlined the DOJ's strategy to use all available tools, including litigation, subpoenas, prosecutions, and the revocation of federal funding, to address such practices.
Ms. Dhillon argued that many existing DEI programs violate core tenets of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, specifically Title VI, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in federally funded programs, and Title VII, which prohibits employment discrimination. She contended that policies granting preferential treatment based on protected classes undermine the principle of equal treatment under the law. Her division aims to ensure that civil rights protections apply to people of all races, without creating new forms of discrimination.
The aggressive stance taken by the DOJ has drawn divided reactions. Conservative groups and legal networks have largely applauded the efforts, viewing them as a necessary step to enforce the Civil Rights Act as intended and to push back against what they describe as "woke" corporate and institutional policies. Conversely, civil rights organizations and advocates have voiced strong criticism, arguing that the DOJ's approach could undermine legitimate efforts to promote diversity, address historical inequalities, and foster inclusive environments, potentially leading to a chilling effect on beneficial diversity initiatives.