Exodus at DOJ civil rights division as official says ‘over 100’ attorneys departed
The Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department has been experiencing a significant departure of attorneys, with over 100 reportedly leaving their positions. This mass exodus comes as the newly appointed head of the division, Harmeet Dhillon, emphasized a shift in priorities under President Trump’s administration.
In an interview with conservative host Glenn Beck, Dhillon stated that the division’s focus would now center on different issues compared to the previous administration. This change in direction has led to a wave of resignations among the attorneys, who have chosen to step down rather than align with the new priorities set by the current leadership.
Under Dhillon and Attorney General Pam Bondi, the Civil Rights Division has shifted its focus away from traditional areas like enforcing voting rights laws and addressing unconstitutional policing practices. Instead, the division is now concentrating on culture war issues highlighted by President Trump during his 2024 campaign.
Recent actions taken by the department include pursuing legal action against states allowing transgender athletes to participate in girls’ and women’s sports, withdrawing from a lawsuit against Georgia’s voting laws initiated during the Biden administration, and launching a task force to investigate incidents of anti-Christian bias.
Dhillon expressed that she is supportive of the attorneys who have chosen to leave, stating that it is preferable to have individuals who are aligned with the new administration’s priorities. She emphasized that the focus should be on enforcing federal civil rights laws rather than advancing a “woke ideology.”
Despite the departures, Dhillon acknowledged the need to bolster the division with more staff to address key issues, such as the administration’s actions targeting Harvard University. She highlighted the importance of having sufficient resources, including lawyers and investigators, to carry out the division’s work effectively.
In response to concerns raised by top Democrats about the politicization of the DOJ’s civil rights division, Dhillon, Bondi, and DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz have been urged to address these issues and ensure that the division’s work remains focused on upholding federal civil rights laws.
