New Vision for DOJ Civil Rights Division

Clear Facts

• Harmeet Dhillon, the new Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, plans to shift the focus of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division from its previous priorities under the Biden administration.
• Dhillon aims to address new areas such as defending the Second Amendment, ending race discrimination in employment, and combating antisemitism on college campuses.
• Some personnel in the Civil Rights Division have opted to leave due to these changes in priorities, resulting in a significant turnover.

Harmeet Dhillon, recently appointed as the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, is set to bring a fresh perspective to the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division. After years of what many have seen as the division being “weaponized” under the Biden administration, Dhillon is determined to redirect its focus.

Dhillon criticized the previous administration for targeting pro-life activists and challenging state election laws, actions she sees as misaligned with the division’s core mission. She emphasized, “We have changed the priorities, not the mission, the priorities, in each of the sections in the Civil Rights Division.”

Under her leadership, the division will continue its essential functions but will expand its efforts to defend the Second Amendment and tackle race discrimination in employment. Additionally, Dhillon plans to address the growing issue of antisemitism on college campuses, a concern that has been largely overlooked.

The transition has not been without its challenges. Some current and former career attorneys in the division have expressed concerns that these policy shifts could undermine civil rights enforcement. As a result, a noticeable turnover has occurred, with some personnel deciding to pursue their careers elsewhere.

Dhillon is not deterred by these changes. She is actively seeking “energized attorneys” to join her in pursuing these new priorities. Once the reorganization and severance processes are complete, the division will be hiring again to ensure it has the necessary resources to meet its expanded mission.

Her experience as a conservative civil rights lawyer, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, has shaped her approach to her new role. Dhillon has been a staunch advocate for First Amendment rights and has actively challenged what she views as overreach by government authorities during the pandemic.

On the topic of religious liberty, Dhillon expressed concern over the open hostility towards religion in various sectors of society. She highlighted the importance of protecting religious rights, even for those who are incarcerated, stating, “People who have committed crimes don’t lose their religious rights.”

As for election security, Dhillon is committed to enforcing voter ID laws and ensuring that only those legally entitled to vote can do so. She finds it “outrageous” that there is resistance to this basic concept and is determined to work around the political and judicial obstacles that hinder these efforts.

Looking ahead, Dhillon assures Americans that the Civil Rights Division will remain dedicated to enforcing federal civil rights statutes. The emphasis, however, will align more closely with the president’s agenda, which she fully supports. She concluded, “We will not be weaponizing the federal government against law-abiding citizens.”

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