Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon disclosed that approximately 75% of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division employees have exited since her appointment.
According to a Breitbart report, Dhillon shared these details during a radio segment, highlighting how the changes stem from evolving enforcement strategies. She was sworn into her role earlier this year and aims to rebuild the team with professionals committed to statutory interpretations.
Dhillon noted that the division previously employed over 400 attorneys before the departures began. She explained that around 200 staff members opted for a federal retirement incentive shortly after she started, followed by about 100 more resignations in subsequent months.
The official described the prior focus as centered on racial preferences and progressive agendas, which she said the division is now moving away from. This redirection prioritizes applying laws as originally legislated and judicially defined in various sectors.
Key areas of new emphasis include scrutinizing college entry practices for fairness and addressing job bias claims against entities receiving government contracts or funds. Additional priorities encompass safeguarding military personnel and their dependents, along with ensuring job protections for U.S. workers compared to those from abroad.
Dhillon stressed the division's growing role in defending religious freedoms through legal actions. These efforts involve contesting requirements for vaccinations, a dispute over priestly confidentiality in Washington state, and applying a federal law to shield both religious attendees and demonstrators.
Enforcement under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act now extends to protecting people at religious sites from disruptions. Dhillon indicated this approach ensures balanced safeguards for all involved parties in such scenarios.
The division's work also tackles broader religious rights, including opposition to mandates that conflict with personal beliefs. By pursuing these cases, the department seeks to uphold constitutional protections without favoring specific ideologies.
Dhillon connected these initiatives to a larger strategy of interpreting civil rights laws strictly. She mentioned that hiring efforts target lawyers eager to implement these priorities as defined by legislative and court standards.
On voting matters, the Civil Rights Division issued correspondence to Texas officials about potential issues with district boundaries under federal voting protections. Dhillon noted that a recent appellate ruling in the relevant circuit restricted certain district formations, influencing the state's mapping adjustments.
The decision from the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals limited the creation of combined minority districts, which Dhillon said played a role in prompting Texas to revise its plans. This action reflects the division's commitment to enforcing voting laws based on current legal precedents.
Dhillon addressed university disturbances linked to events after the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The department has initiated probes into anti-Jewish incidents on campuses, leading to pauses or removals of government financial support in some instances.
These campus inquiries form part of a comprehensive government-wide effort directed from the executive level. Dhillon emphasized that while speech freedoms are upheld, behaviors that block educational access or infringe on individual rights cross into violations.
“You can criticize Israel,” Dhillon stated. “It’s absolutely appropriate to do that. It’s a free country.” “But you can’t interfere with another person’s access to their education or their own liberty,” she continued. Dhillon added that the division distinguishes between protected opinions and actions that harm others' civil liberties.
Discussing wider national issues, Dhillon highlighted a prevalent atmosphere where individuals suppress their views in professional and educational settings. She urged greater public engagement to counter this trend and assert personal freedoms. “Most people in America feel like they have to lie throughout the day to get by,” Dhillon observed. This comment underscores her call for citizens to vocalize concerns and protect their entitlements openly. Looking forward, Dhillon revealed plans to increase staffing as recruitment progresses. She noted a large pool of applications and anticipated growth once hiring processes advance fully.
