President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Harmeet Dhillon, a Republican lawyer and RNC committeewoman for California, as assistant attorney general for the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division. Trump praised Dhillon’s defense of religious freedoms, her challenges to big tech, and her legal efforts against “woke policies.”
Dhillon, a practicing Sikh born in India, would be the first Sikh American and second Indian-American to lead the division. Her nomination follows her prominent advocacy during Trump’s first term, including lawsuits challenging pandemic restrictions and cases defending conservatives, such as Trump supporters attacked at rallies and a Google employee fired after criticizing diversity policies.
Critics, including Maya Wiley of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, argue Dhillon prioritizes ideological positions over civil rights protections, citing her efforts to limit voting access. Supporters like Roger Severino of the Heritage Foundation view her as highly qualified to counter “woke DEI policies” implemented during the Biden administration.
Dhillon has also represented Trump in high-profile legal cases, including a 2024 Supreme Court challenge to keep him on the presidential ballot. Her firm has ties to Trump’s legal team, with members representing him in January 6-related lawsuits. Prominent lawyer Mark Geragos, a Democrat, called her nomination historic, stating, “The civil rights division is going to be better off for having her there.”
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