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Civil rights groups oppose Dhillon’s nomination to DOJ post
In a letter to Senate leadership, LDF described Dhillon’s legal history as “deeply troubling” and accused her of working to undermine civil rights protections.
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Harmeet K. Dhillon/ Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights/ LDF / Image- Wikipedia/ Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights/ LDF
Civil rights organizations, including the Legal Defense Fund (LDF) and the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, have urged the Senate to reject Harmeet Dhillon’s nomination as Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, citing her record on voting rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and civil rights enforcement.
In a letter to Senate leadership, LDF described Dhillon’s legal history as “deeply troubling” and accused her of working to undermine civil rights protections. “The U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division serves as the heartbeat of our federal government’s commitment to equal justice under the law,” said LDF president and Director-Counsel Janai Nelson.
“To confirm Harmeet Dhillon as leader of this critical division would be an affront to the agency’s mission and a direct threat to the civil rights protections on which millions of Americans rely.”
The Leadership Conference raised similar concerns in a statement to the Senate Judiciary Committee, arguing that Dhillon has “consistently opposed the very laws and protections the Civil Rights Division is tasked with enforcing.” The organization criticized her stance on the Voting Rights Act, noting that she has opposed the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and dismissed voter suppression concerns as “a myth.”
“Her litigation history demonstrates a pattern of undermining access to the ballot, particularly for historically marginalized communities,” the statement read.
Beyond voting rights, civil rights groups took issue with Dhillon’s advocacy against transgender rights and her support for policies restricting access to gender-affirming care. “She has been one of the most vocal opponents of transgender rights,” the Leadership Conference noted, highlighting her legal efforts challenging protections for LGBTQ+ individuals.
The statement also condemned her stance on reproductive rights, pointing out that she has described herself as a “lawyer for the pro-life movement” and supported efforts to limit abortion access.
Both organizations also raised concerns about Dhillon’s close ties to former President Donald Trump and her involvement in legal challenges related to the 2020 election. “Given her history of advancing partisan legal strategies, there is significant concern that she would not exercise the independence required for this role,” the Leadership Conference stated.
LDF and the Leadership Conference called on the Senate to reject Dhillon’s nomination “without hesitation,” warning that her confirmation could further politicize civil rights enforcement. “At a time when fundamental rights are under attack, we need leadership that will protect all communities, not undermine them,” the Leadership Conference concluded.
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