Head of DOJ Civil Rights Division Harmeet Dhillon resigns after midterms

Harmeet Dhillon, the assistant attorney general who led the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, resigned on Thursday, NBC News reported. Her resignation was accepted by Attorney General Todd Blanche, who praised her dedication and enforcement of civil liberties.

Dhillon had overseen significant changes in the Civil Rights Division, shifting its focus toward issues such as challenging diversity and inclusion policies at universities and protecting women and girls' sports, according to NBC News and CBS News. This represented a departure from the division's traditional emphasis on fighting discrimination against vulnerable groups.

During her 18 months in charge, the division experienced a large staff turnover, with over 75% of employees leaving, CBS News noted. Dhillon's leadership included lawsuits citing claims of discrimination at elite universities.

Her resignation follows the recent midterm elections in which Democrats gained control of both the House and Senate, as reported by NBC News. CBS News also mentioned that Dhillon had informed White House officials in early October of her intention to resign after the elections.

According to CBS News, two sources familiar with the matter said former President Trump demanded Dhillon's firing after her October 18 appearance on "60 Minutes," though her resignation proceeded. Attorney General Blanche expressed gratitude for her public service and wished her success in future endeavors.