DOJ Civil Rights Head Dhillon Addresses Conservative Women as Division Sees 70% Attorney Exodus

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon, head of the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division, spoke at the Clare Boothe Luce Center for Conservative Women on July 12, 2025. Her address focused on her career in law and public service, emphasizing the importance of integrity, conviction, and constitutional principles. The event provided a platform for Dhillon to share her professional journey and philosophical approach to public service.

Dhillon was nominated by President Donald Trump in December 2024 and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on April 3, 2025, taking office as Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights on April 7, 2025. Prior to her appointment, she founded a legal practice and a nonprofit, the Center for American Liberty, focusing on First Amendment, civil rights, and election law issues. Her background includes high-profile cases challenging COVID-19 restrictions and advocating for free speech.

Her tenure has marked a significant directional shift for the Civil Rights Division, leading to widespread internal changes. Reports indicate that approximately 70% of the division's attorneys have departed or are in the process of leaving since President Trump's inauguration, citing concerns over the division's altered mission. Dhillon has openly stated her intent to "turn the train around" at the DOJ Civil Rights Division, asserting that the goal is to "ensure that our nation's civil rights laws benefit all Americans, not just a select few."

Under Dhillon's leadership, the division has initiated investigations into race- and sex-based hiring practices in state governments and universities. Recent actions also include lawsuits enforcing Title IX to protect female student athletes and efforts to ensure the removal of ineligible voters from registration rolls under the National Voter Registration Act. These initiatives reflect a focus on enforcing federal laws in line with the current administration's priorities.

The transformation of the Civil Rights Division under Assistant Attorney General Dhillon continues to reshape its enforcement priorities and internal structure. Her speech at the conservative women's center underscores her commitment to a vision of public service rooted in specific constitutional interpretations and principles. The ongoing changes within the division highlight a notable shift in the federal government's approach to civil rights enforcement.