Most Civil Rights Lawyers Left After New Leader Took Over

The Justice Department's civil rights office, which handles discrimination cases, saw hundreds of longtime lawyers pushed out after its new leader, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, took over in April 2025, NPR reported Oct. 11, 2026. Reuters reported about 75% had left by Dec. 9, 2025. Dhillon also issued new mission statements, or goals, for its 11 teams.