Harmeet Dhillon has resigned as the head of the Justice Department's civil rights division, according to reports, marking the first senior official to depart following the recent midterm elections. Her resignation comes as the Trump administration anticipates further staff changes in the wake of the election results, which saw Democrats gain control of both chambers of Congress.
Dhillon, who previously served as a Republican Party official and represented former President Donald Trump's campaign, was appointed to her position after Trump's election in 2024. During her tenure, the division's focus reportedly shifted from protecting vulnerable communities to advancing conservative causes. Sources indicate that over three-quarters of the lawyers in the division have left during her leadership.
Former Justice Department officials have criticized Dhillon's impact, with Stacey Young, executive director of the Justice Connection, stating that Dhillon had "decimated" the division's historic mandate. Online prediction markets are reportedly taking bets on which administration official will be the next to resign.