Harmeet Dhillon Resigns as DOJ Civil Rights Chief After Midterm Losses

• •Harmeet Dhillon resigned as head of the DOJ Civil Rights Division on November 5, 2026.
• •Her leadership resulted in a 70% turnover of the division's workforce, sparking criticism.
• •The resignation follows significant Republican losses in the 2026 midterm elections.

Harmeet Dhillon, the head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, announced her resignation on November 5, 2026, following significant losses for the Republican Party in the midterm elections. Dhillon, who took office in April 2025, led a controversial overhaul of the division, focusing on issues aligned with the Trump administration, including investigations into universities and voter fraud. Her tenure saw a mass exodus of civil rights attorneys, with nearly 70% of the workforce reportedly leaving due to ideological differences or financial incentives. Critics argue that her leadership undermined the division's traditional mission of protecting civil rights, particularly regarding LGBTQ+ rights and affirmative action. Dhillon's departure raises questions about the future direction of the division and the potential for further turnover in the DOJ after the electoral setbacks. She indicated in her resignation letter that she had initially planned to resign in October but was asked to stay until after the elections.