Harmeet Dhillon, the head of the Justice Department's civil rights unit, has reportedly threatened to resign if President Trump does not promote her or another individual she respects to the position of deputy attorney general. This ultimatum comes amid an escalating feud with fellow Trump loyalist Leo Terrell, according to reports.
Dhillon, who has led the civil rights department for approximately 16 months, has reportedly been in conflict with senior leadership within the department. The New York Times detailed these disputes, indicating that Dhillon's career ambitions have put her at odds with Terrell, who serves as a senior counsel in the Civil Rights Division and advises on antisemitism issues.
Internal Conflicts Emerge
The reported friction between Dhillon and Terrell has led to Terrell filing numerous complaints about Dhillon's conduct to Justice Department leadership, including former Attorney General Pam Bondi. According to the reports, the two have not communicated directly since last summer, with tensions stemming from their working relationship and disagreements over government negotiations with Columbia University.
Further complicating matters, Dhillon's staff reportedly warned Terrell in mid-2025 that he could face termination for appearing on Fox News without authorization. Terrell, in turn, accused Dhillon of acting out of jealousy over her own limited appearances on the network.
Allegations of Interference
New details have surfaced regarding efforts to potentially remove Terrell's staff. The New York Times reported that a career official working for Dhillon informed Terrell's most trusted aide that she would need to be transferred from his team. Although Terrell complained to Trump, and the aide remained, she was later summoned to answer a question about whether Terrell had ever asked her to "follow him into a bathroom to take notes." The aide reportedly denied this occurred.
Dhillon's tenure has also been characterized by her efforts to secure significant settlements from universities, particularly concerning their approaches to combating antisemitism and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. The Justice Department has not yet responded to requests for comment on the reported feud.