After embarrassing midterm losses, Trump’s DOJ civil rights chief resigns as first top official to depart

Dhillon leaves Justice Department

Harmeet Dhillon has stepped down from leading the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. Her departure follows Republican losses in this week’s midterm elections and makes her the first senior administration official to leave afterward.

Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the resignation on Thursday. He said Dhillon had defended Americans’ civil liberties and enforced the law “without fear or favor.” He also expressed gratitude for her public service and wished her well in future endeavors.

Division’s election role changed

The department also sent more than 900 election observers to polling locations across all 50 states, the largest deployment of election monitors in its history. Voting-rights advocates condemned the move as unconstitutional voter intimidation.

Criticism over civil rights work

Earlier this year, Dhillon’s office said the Justice Department would stop investigating allegations of police misconduct, constitutional violations and civil rights abuses following high-profile police killings. Stacey Young, executive director of Justice Connection, a group of former department officials, criticized Dhillon’s record. Young called her “the most destructive, lawless, and hateful head” of the division in its history.