In a political era where reshaping government institutions is the name of the game, the U.S. Justice Department is once again in the spotlight—this time for a major shake-up that’s ruffling more than a few feathers.
Under Donald Trump’s presidency, the Civil Rights Division is undergoing a dramatic transformation that’s sending veteran attorneys packing—and the new leadership doesn’t seem too bothered by the mass exodus.
Hundreds of Lawyers Walk Away as Ideological Clash Boils Over
Harmeet K. Dhillon, the new head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, isn’t mincing words.
Speaking candidly during an interview with Glenn Beck, she addressed the recent departure of over 100 attorneys from her office.
Their exit, she said, boils down to one thing: they weren’t interested in enforcing the laws as she sees them—they’d rather push what she calls a “woke ideology.”
“Let them go,” Dhillon said bluntly. “We don’t want federal employees using their positions to target police departments or people praying outside abortion clinics. That’s not the job.”
Refocusing the Division’s Agenda on Trump’s Priorities
Dhillon made it clear that the division’s focus will now shift dramatically under Trump’s leadership.
Her team will prioritize investigating antisemitism on college campuses and taking a hard look at sanctuary cities, which she claims are worsening the migrant crisis.
She acknowledged the practical challenges of losing so many attorneys at once but seemed unbothered by the transition. “We’ll hire new people,” she said.
“We might be stretched for a while, but we’re moving in a new direction.”
Those departing the department are reportedly accepting generous severance packages—getting paid for several months without having to work.
Rolling Back Biden-Era Civil Rights Policies
Another major change? Dhillon is putting the brakes on civil rights cases launched during the Biden administration—especially those related to transgender inmates.
She criticized those legal efforts as being based on “junk science” and claimed they misinterpreted federal laws like the Americans With Disabilities Act.
For Dhillon and her team, it’s all about returning to what they describe as a more traditional, law-based interpretation of civil rights.
Trump’s Justice Department: New Faces, Same Old Grievances
Trump, meanwhile, seems to be relishing this return to the Justice Department.
In a recent speech delivered in the department’s great hall—ironically, the same spot where Biden’s attorney general once announced an investigation into him—Trump declared it a new era of “fair and impartial justice.”
But make no mistake: his remarks weren’t just about policy. They were filled with familiar complaints.
From campaign spying to legal persecution, Trump revisited all the grievances that have long defined his narrative.
At one point, he even broke his promise to Melania and dropped an expletive, calling the case against him “bulls***.”
Loyalists Take the Helm at the Department of Justice
The new leadership team is packed with Trump allies. That includes Pam Bondi, a key figure from his first impeachment trial, and two attorneys who defended him in his hush money case.
Bondi has wasted no time getting to work—in one of her first acts, she directed Justice Department staff to aggressively defend the presidency.
She even accompanied Trump during his department visit, proudly pointing out his official portrait on the wall.
A Rallying Crowd and a Familiar Message
As Trump spoke, more than 200 supporters gathered to cheer him on.
Among them were law enforcement officers, Capitol Hill staffers, and families impacted by the opioid crisis—many wearing the signature red MAGA caps.
Once again, Trump framed his battles as a struggle between good and evil, saying that under the previous administration, “the law was used to punish the innocent and reward the wicked.”
He ended on a triumphant note, telling the crowd that despite the “tremendous abuse” he’s endured, the people chose him.
“How did I do? I think I’m president,” he said, drawing cheers from the audience.