Over 200 Lawyers Depart Civil Rights Division Under Harmeet K. Dhillon's Leadership

Harmeet K. Dhillon, the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, has been profiled by the Dartmouth Alumni Magazine in an article titled "From Advocate to Enforcer," sparking considerable discussion and, according to Dhillon, "letters to the editor full of gall and pearl-clutching." The profile delves into her new role, her past as a conservative activist at Dartmouth, and her controversial policy shifts, including a significant staff exodus.

Dhillon, a former editor of the conservative Dartmouth Review, was confirmed as Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights in April. In her interview with the magazine, she described her office's focus on combating discrimination in universities, stating, "We’re taking the lead in the government’s work to combat discrimination in America’s universities." She also highlighted the formation of a Second Amendment section within the Civil Rights Division, a novel development.

A key point of contention discussed in the article is the departure of over 200 lawyers from the Civil Rights Division under her leadership. Dhillon explained that upon assessing the department, she found a "very politically motivated, one-sided approach" to statutes. She clarified that her administration's priority is to enforce federal civil rights laws "in a more even-handed fashion," consistent with the president's executive orders, which led many lawyers to seek careers elsewhere.

Dhillon also addressed her evolving stance on immigration, acknowledging a shift from past comments. She now fully supports the administration's enforcement of immigration laws, citing an "invasion" and an "untenable situation" due to "millions of illegal aliens." Her comments on police consent decrees also mark a departure, as she advocates for re-evaluating existing decrees, asserting that some "haven’t worked."

The Dartmouth Alumni Magazine article, penned by Matthew Mosk, portrays Dhillon as a figure making significant changes within the Department of Justice. Her outspoken views and the substantial turnover in her department underscore a determined effort to reshape the direction and priorities of the Civil Rights Division, drawing both support and strong opposition.