Harmeet Dhillon, who holds the position of Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division at the U.S. Department of Justice, is likely to be promoted to Associate Attorney General. This news comes following a report from CBS News.
The Associate Attorney General ranks as the third-highest official in the department, overseeing pivotal areas such as the Civil Rights Division, the Antitrust Division, and other key units.
Dhillon has been in her current role since April 2025, after being nominated by President Donald Trump following his election victory in 2024. She took over from Kristen Clarke, who led the division during the previous administration.
Before her appointment, Dhillon practiced law at the Dhillon Law Group and was active in Republican circles, serving as vice chair of the California Republican Party and as the Republican National Committeewoman for California. Her legal career has focused on election law, free speech, and civil rights.
In her current capacity, Dhillon has initiated significant changes within the division, moving away from the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) framework that characterized the prior administration. This shift has allowed the department to address topics like election integrity and discrimination against Christians and whites, issues that were largely overlooked before her tenure.
Speculation regarding Dhillon’s promotion has increased amidst broader changes in the Justice Department. CBS News mentioned over the weekend that the department is considering promoting Dhillon while making adjustments to the current leadership.
According to a report from Daily Wire, President Trump intends to nominate Dhillon for this elevated role, emphasizing her current leadership of the Civil Rights Division.
The report also indicated that Stanley Woodward, the current Associate Attorney General, had resigned from his position. Trump had made this announcement to former Attorney General Pam Bondi shortly before she was released.
Woodward, the outgoing associate attorney general, has a history of defending several Trump allies in various legal matters, including cases related to the January 6 Capitol protests.
As of this writing, the White House has yet to make any formal announcement regarding Dhillon’s nomination.
