DOJ civil rights chief Harmeet Dhillon resigns, says White House asked her to wait until after midterms

Fox News, the Daily Caller and MS NOW report that Harmeet Dhillon is stepping down as assistant attorney general for civil rights at the Justice Department, the first prominent departure from the Trump administration since Republicans' heavy midterm losses. Attorney General Todd Blanche announced Thursday that the resignation was accepted, MS NOW says, crediting Dhillon with leading the division for the past 18 months, according to Fox News · Daily Caller.

Dhillon told Fox News Digital the decision was not forced and predates the election: the resignation was conveyed to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles three weeks before Election Day, and Wiles asked that it wait until after the midterms. Dhillon says the goal is a return to private practice, summing it up as "My decision, my choice."

MS NOW, citing multiple sources, describes friction instead: Dhillon was irritated at not being elevated to deputy attorney general or another higher job, and clashed with Blanche and Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward, complaining to White House officials. Some White House leaders view the timing as embarrassing. The Daily Caller adds that Dhillon took the job in April 2025 after a party-line Senate vote.

Summarized by PolitiKool from Fox News · Daily Caller, Daily Caller and MS NOW’s reporting. Read the full story at Fox News · Daily Caller → Also at Daily Caller → Also at MS NOW →