Former Center of American Liberty CEO Harmeet Dhillon has transitioned to her new position as assistant attorney general, where she will lead the Department of Justice’s civil rights division under Attorney General Pam Bondi’s leadership. Following her April 3 confirmation, Dhillon expressed her commitment to advancing President Donald Trump’s policy priorities.
Speaking with The Epoch Times, Dhillon emphasized that her division’s focus will align closely with Trump’s executive orders, particularly those addressing women’s and girls’ sports rights, gender ideology concerns, anti-Semitism, and discrimination in higher education institutions. These initiatives, she noted, were key factors in her selection for the role, given her extensive background in civil rights advocacy through her previous organization and legal practice.
As head of the civil rights division, which employs over 400 attorneys and 600 staff members, Dhillon acknowledges the substantial workload ahead. She indicated that while social media users are eager for immediate action on various issues, proper investigative procedures must be followed before pursuing legal action.
The division, under the current administration, is expected to be particularly active in defending religious liberties protected by the First Amendment and federal statutes. Dhillon has established an official government account on X to keep the public informed about the division’s activities.
Reflecting on her departure from the Center for American Liberty, which she founded in 2018, Dhillon described the transition as “bittersweet.” The organization, now led by former executive director Mark Trammell, has been at the forefront of defending campus free speech rights and religious freedoms during COVID-19 lockdowns. It has also gained recognition for representing detransitioners – individuals seeking to reverse previous gender transition procedures.
Addressing concerns about parental rights, Dhillon expressed particular interest in cases where parents face custody threats for refusing to use children’s preferred pronouns. She characterized such state interventions as violations of Supreme Court precedents, natural law, and civil rights legislation. The former civil rights attorney also voiced concern about restrictions on foster parents based on their views on gender issues.
With a week into her new role, Dhillon reports constant activity crossing her desk and emphasizes the methodical approach required for investigations. She has assured the public that under the leadership of both Bondi and Trump, the civil rights division will actively address issues of primary concern to Americans.
The Center for American Liberty, under Dhillon’s leadership, established itself as a comprehensive civil rights organization, filling what she perceived as gaps in conservative legal advocacy. The organization notably led numerous legal challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic and has been particularly active in cases involving gender transition medical treatments.
Dhillon’s appointment signals a shift in focus for the DOJ’s civil rights division, with increased attention to religious liberties and parental rights. While acknowledging the extensive backlog of work, she has committed to pursuing investigations and initiatives aligned with the administration’s priorities. Her approach emphasizes proper legal procedure while promising active engagement with issues highlighted during Trump’s campaign and presidency.
Through her new role, Dhillon aims to demonstrate unprecedented activity levels for a Republican administration in addressing civil rights concerns, though she stresses the importance of following proper investigative protocols before pursuing legal action.