Harmeet Dhillon, a prominent conservative attorney, steps into her new role as Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights with a bold agenda focusing on religious liberty and free speech despite facing opposition from traditional civil rights organizations.

At a Glance

• President Trump appointed Dhillon to lead the DOJ’s civil rights division under Attorney General Pam Bondi
• Dhillon’s priorities align with Trump’s executive orders on women’s sports, gender ideology, anti-Semitism, and discrimination in higher education
• Mark Trammell takes over as CEO of the Center for American Liberty, which Dhillon founded
• The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, a coalition of over 240 organizations, opposes Dhillon’s nomination
• Dhillon plans to focus on defending religious liberties and addressing parental rights issues

A New Direction for Civil Rights Enforcement

Harmeet Dhillon has stepped down as CEO of the Center of American Liberty to assume her role as Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights in the Trump administration. President Trump appointed Dhillon to lead the Department of Justice’s civil rights division under Attorney General Pam Bondi. This appointment marks a significant shift in how civil rights laws will be interpreted and enforced, as Dhillon brings a conservative legal perspective to a division traditionally focused on different priorities.

Congratulations @HarmeetKDhillon! What an exciting day for America 🇺🇸 https://t.co/YElHMjMlkq

— Center for American Liberty (@Liberty_Ctr) April 7, 2025

Dhillon’s priorities closely align with President Trump’s executive orders on protecting women’s rights in sports, addressing gender ideology in schools, combating anti-Semitism, and eliminating discrimination in higher education. The DOJ’s civil rights division will now emphasize defending religious liberties while tackling what Dhillon sees as a substantial backlog of work. She has emphasized the importance of conducting thorough investigations before filing lawsuits, suggesting a more measured approach to civil rights enforcement.

Opposition from Traditional Civil Rights Groups

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, a coalition representing over 240 national organizations, has voiced strong opposition to Dhillon’s nomination. The organization, which has long been at the forefront of civil rights advocacy, argues that Dhillon’s record shows a lack of commitment to the traditional understanding of civil rights protections. The DOJ’s Civil Rights Division is responsible for enforcing federal civil rights laws, including the Civil Rights Acts, Voting Rights Act, Fair Housing Act, and Americans with Disabilities Act.

Critics point to Dhillon’s support for Trump’s claims regarding the 2020 election and her involvement in litigation challenging election results. Her firm has filed lawsuits challenging certain voting measures while supporting others that critics view as restrictive. The Leadership Conference also notes Dhillon’s positions on reproductive rights and LGBTQ+ issues, particularly her opposition to gender-affirming care for transgender individuals, as reasons for their concern about her ability to enforce civil rights laws equitably.

A New Chapter for the Center for American Liberty

With Dhillon’s departure, Mark Trammell has taken over as the new CEO of the Center for American Liberty. The organization has been active in defending free speech and religious freedom, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic when it challenged various pandemic-related restrictions. Dhillon expressed mixed emotions about leaving the Center but expressed confidence in Trammell’s ability to continue its mission.

Remember how Harmeet helped with the school board recall with her Center for American Liberty pals Chris Marston and Lee Cheng. Remember how she said, “Well done” to @growsf and their David Sacks funded friends.

But it was a “Democrat led” recall, not a Trojan Horse. /s https://t.co/ZscLAPjfIu pic.twitter.com/NfJVBXJrtn

— Emily Mills (@sf_mills) April 4, 2025

The Center has become known for representing “detransitioners” – individuals who reverse gender transitions – and challenging what its leadership describes as gender ideology in schools. Under Trammell’s leadership, the organization plans to continue focusing on cases involving young detransitioners and parental rights in schools. Recently, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals allowed a case involving a mother’s rights regarding her child’s social transition at school to proceed, marking a significant legal development for the organization.

Future Focus on Parental Rights

In her new role, Dhillon has expressed particular concern about parental rights violations related to gender dysphoria and foster care. She anticipates resistance to Trump’s executive orders but remains confident in their legal foundation. The Center for American Liberty, meanwhile, is filing requests to expose situations where schools may be keeping information about children’s social transitions from parents – an issue that has become increasingly contentious in educational settings across the country.

As Dhillon transitions to government service, both supporters and critics are watching closely to see how her interpretation of civil rights will reshape the DOJ’s approach to enforcement. Her appointment represents a significant recalibration of federal civil rights priorities that aligns with the broader policy objectives of the Trump administration, particularly on issues related to religious liberty, gender, and education.