DOJ Civil Rights Division Bolsters Legal Team with 12 New Hires Under AAG Harmeet K. Dhillon

Washington D.C. – The U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division has welcomed 12 new lawyers to its ranks, an expansion announced by Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon. The new hires are set to join the division's efforts in upholding civil and constitutional rights across the nation.

In a social media post on August 25, 2025, Ms. Dhillon stated, > "These 12 new lawyers have come from all over America to join the fight to protect our civil rights — and I am grateful for their service to our country." This announcement signals a significant staffing increase for the division under her leadership.

Ms. Dhillon was nominated by President Donald Trump and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on April 3, 2025, officially assuming her role as Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division on April 7, 2025. Prior to her appointment, she founded the Dhillon Law Group, Inc. and the Center for American Liberty, focusing on First Amendment, civil rights, and election law issues. Her background includes challenging Big Tech over free speech, representing religious groups, and addressing corporate discrimination.

President Trump, in announcing her nomination, praised Ms. Dhillon as a top election lawyer committed to ensuring the integrity of votes and a tireless defender of constitutional rights. The Civil Rights Division, established in 1957, is tasked with enforcing federal statutes prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, sex, disability, religion, familial status, national origin, and citizenship status.

However, Ms. Dhillon's appointment has drawn mixed reactions. While supporters view her as a strong advocate for civil liberties, some civil rights organizations, including The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, have expressed concerns regarding her past positions. These groups have cited her record on voting rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and reproductive rights as potentially conflicting with the division's traditional mandate to protect marginalized communities. The addition of these 12 lawyers will likely shape the division's priorities and enforcement strategies moving forward.