n a move that underlines his determination to reshape the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, President-elect Donald J. Trump on Monday announced he had chosen Harmeet K. Dhillon-a, a prominent California attorney and longtime supporter, to helm the division. The announcement, via social media on Monday, highlighted Dhillon’s commitment to defending civil liberties and her active involvement in conservative legal battles.
Dhillon’s entire legal career has been characterized by loudly advocating causes dear to the political right. She has sued social media companies, claiming they censor conservative content. She has challenged pandemic-era restrictions on religious gatherings. And she has sued corporate giants, accusing them of discriminating against conservative workers. President Trump lauded the work Dhillon does, saying she “consistently stands up to protect our cherished civil liberties.
Dhillon has long been an ally of Trump – she even took swipes at fellow Republicans in her quest to unseat the chairwoman of the Republican National Committee last year. She was a leading member of the 2020 “Lawyers for Trump” group that filed court actions against presidential election results.
In a social media post following the nomination, Dhillon expressed her gratitude: “I’m extremely honored by President Trump’s nomination to assist with our nation’s civil rights agenda. It has been my dream to serve this great country.” She also noted her enthusiasm to join an esteemed team of legal professionals led by Pam Bondi, Trump’s pick for attorney general.
The Civil Rights Division does have some pretty weighty responsibilities, including enforcing voting rights laws, investigating police misconduct, and violations of civil liberties. The division under the Biden administration pursued a raft of investigations into systemic issues in police departments, including findings released last month against the Worcester, Massachusetts, police force. But with the Trump administration taking the reins, many expect a shift in priorities.
During Trump’s first term, the Justice Department retreated from high-profile investigations of police misconduct-a trend many predict will continue with Dhillon at the helm. Critics say her past engagement in culture wars and in the promotion of conservative causes would translate into a narrower approach to the enforcement of civil rights.
Dhillon’s nomination is part of a broader strategy by Trump to fill key governmental positions with people who reflect his ideological priorities. As her confirmation process unfolds, supporters and critics alike will closely scrutinize her potential impact on the division’s mission and ongoing cases.
