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President-elect Donald Trump announced that he will nominate Harmeet K. Dhillon, an Indian-American lawyer and long-time Trump ally, to lead the Department of Justice's civil rights division. Trump praised Dhillon's legal efforts to defend civil liberties, challenge social media companies, and oppose "woke policies" by corporations. He stated that Dhillon will be a strong defender of constitutional rights and enforce civil rights and election laws fairly. Dhillon's appointment represents a shift from previous Republican administrations' approach of scaling back civil rights work, suggesting a more confrontational stance on the cultural issues that have become central in America's current political landscape. Dhillon has been a prominent and outspoken supporter of Trump, serving as a legal advisor to his 2020 campaign and co-chairing the Lawyers for Trump group, which contested the results of the 2020 presidential election.
Dhillon's unwavering support for Donald Trump has caused tension with other Republicans, but she has staunchly defended him. Her advocacy has been controversial, as seen in her appearance on Piers Morgan's show in 2020, where her relentless defense of the president left the host visibly frustrated. Born in India, Dhillon immigrated to the US with her family at a young age and grew up in a Sikh household in North Carolina before moving to New York City. She attended Dartmouth College and the University of Virginia School of Law.
The individual held a position in the Fourth Circuit and worked in the Constitutional Torts Section of the Justice Department's Civil Division. Afterward, they gained extensive experience in litigation and constitutional law at the renowned law firm Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher. In 2006, Dhillon founded her own law practice in San Francisco, focusing on commercial disputes, employment law, and protecting free speech rights. She also became a prominent figure in the California Republican Party, serving as vice chair and a member of the Republican National Committee.
However, Dhillon's political journey has faced challenges. When she ran for RNC chair in 2023, she allegedly faced discriminatory attacks from fellow Republicans due to her Sikh faith. Dhillon has built a reputation for taking on high-profile cases related to conservative cultural and legal battles, such as representing the Berkeley College Republicans in a lawsuit against the University of California, Berkeley, and suing the California Department of Motor Vehicles over voter registration issues. If the Republican-controlled Senate confirms Dhillon's nomination, she will join a team led by Pam Bondi, further strengthening Trump's influence on the Justice Department's civil rights agenda.
