Welch Statement on Harmeet Dhillon’s Resignation from DOJ Civil Rights Division 

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, today released the following statement in response to the resignation of Harmeet Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General for Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Civil Rights Division: 

“Harmeet Dhillon did everything in her power to destroy the Civil Rights Division and turn it into a weaponization tool for President Trump. Instead of focusing on protecting the civil and constitutional rights of all Americans, she worked in lockstep with the White House to roll back voting rights, undermine protections against racial discrimination, undo efforts at police reform, and more. She led efforts to illegally collect sensitive and private voter information, championed Republicans’ redistricting efforts in Texas—which voters just rejected—and perpetuated Donald Trump’s election lies. And, she gutted the Division’s workforce, forcing out hundreds of career attorneys in an attempt to stack the Division with appointees who would do her bidding. Harmeet Dhillon’s tenure will only be remembered as an embarrassment in the history of civil rights. 

“I am determined to help lay the groundwork over the next two years to restore and strengthen the Civil Rights Division. The DOJ is charged with promoting equality and justice for all Americans, not to be the president’s lawyer.” 

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