Few picks have been met with more enthusiasm from conservative supporters than President-Elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Harmeet Dhillon to run the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Civil Rights Division. With an impressive track record that includes standing up for civil liberties, challenging woke policies, and advocating for the protection of free speech, Dhillon has emerged as the perfect choice to overhaul the DOJ division that many conservatives believe has been used to target them.
California attorney and conservative commentator Kurt Schlichter praised Dhillon’s qualifications, telling the Daily Caller News Foundation (DCNF), “There’s literally not another person in the United States of America better suited for this job. She checks all the boxes twice.” Dhillon, who founded the Center for American Liberty, has represented clients who have taken on the transgender agenda, including detransitioners like Chloe Cole. She helped sue Kaiser Permanente for allowing Cole to undergo irreversible transgender surgeries as a teenager and assisted a mother in securing a $100,000 settlement after school employees secretly encouraged her daughter to identify as transgender.
Trump expressed his confidence in Dhillon’s abilities on Truth Social, saying, “Harmeet has stood up consistently to protect our cherished Civil Liberties, including taking on Big Tech for censoring our Free Speech, representing Christians who were prevented from praying together during COVID, and suing corporations who use woke policies to discriminate against their workers.” Dhillon also led the RNC’s election integrity team in Arizona during the 2024 election.
Her appointment is seen as a crucial step in addressing the current DOJ Civil Rights Division’s politicized targeting, particularly the controversial enforcement of the Freedom of Access to Clinics (FACE) Act. Under current Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke, the DOJ has primarily targeted pro-life activists while largely ignoring attacks on pro-life centers. This imbalance has raised concerns among conservatives, with some calling for Dhillon to address this issue head-on.
David Daleiden, the investigative journalist who exposed Planned Parenthood’s involvement in fetal tissue trafficking, expressed his support for Dhillon’s nomination, calling her “brilliant” and “an excellent choice to accomplish President Trump’s mandate to stop the weaponization of law enforcement against the free speech rights of American citizens.”
Further areas where Dhillon’s leadership is expected to make a significant impact include addressing voter integrity laws, defending Title IX protections for women’s sports, and cracking down on antisemitism on college campuses. Dhillon has previously expressed her strong stance on antisemitism, saying, “Sue Yale. Sue every university that refuses to keep students safe based on their religion.”
Schlichter noted Dhillon’s unique ability to handle both high-level strategy and the technical aspects of litigation, a rare skill that sets her apart from many lawyers. Her leadership and vision have already propelled the Center for American Liberty to the national forefront, defending First Amendment freedoms and parental rights.
Mark Trammell, Executive Director and General Counsel of the Center for American Liberty, emphasized that Dhillon’s unparalleled dedication to these causes has earned her recognition at the highest levels of government. As Trump entrusts Dhillon with this critical role, conservatives are hopeful that she will bring much-needed change to the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division and stand firm in defense of constitutional rights.
