Harmeet Dhillon Resigns as DOJ Civil Rights Chief After Democrats Win Midterms

Harmeet Dhillon, the assistant attorney general who led the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, is resigning following the Democrats' sweeping midterm election victories, making her the first senior DOJ official to depart in the aftermath of the results. Reuters confirmed the imminent exit through two people familiar with the matter, while Bloomberg reported that Dhillon had told allies she planned to leave once the midterms concluded, with a formal announcement expected as soon as Thursday.

Dhillon was confirmed by the Senate in April 2025 and oversaw a significant transformation of the Civil Rights Division, shifting its focus toward investigations involving universities, voting, religious liberty, and diversity initiatives. Her departure is not expected to be isolated. Bloomberg reported that the DOJ is bracing for multiple other top political appointees to exit during the lame duck period before the New Year, and separately, Secretary of State Marco Rubio is reportedly considering resigning as well. Up to five cabinet members are said to be weighing their departures from the Trump administration.