More than 100 former civil rights lawyers at the Department of Justice shredded their former employer in a new letter for "largely abandoning its duty to protect civil rights."
In the letter, the lawyers argued that Harmeet Dhillon, assistant attorney general for the DOJ's civil rights division, has fundamentally reshaped the division to serve the Trump administration's aims rather than administer justice. The letter was released at a time when the DOJ's civil rights office is pursuing lawsuits against several states for failing to turn over their voter rolls and focus its efforts on prosecuting anti-white discrimination.
"Many of us dedicated ourselves to this crucial work for years—some for decades— under both Democratic and Republican administrations," the letter reads in part. "Every election brought changes, but the fundamental mission of our work remained the same. That’s why most of us planned to stay at the Division following the 2024 election. But after witnessing this Administration destroy much of our work, we made the heartbreaking decision to leave—along with hundreds of colleagues, including about 75 percent of attorneys."
"Now, we must sound the alarm about the near destruction of DOJ’s once-revered crown jewel," they continued.
The DOJ's civil rights division was created in 1957 to pursue equal protection under the law for all Americans. The office has worked to overturn housing discrimination laws, fight redlining, and racial discrimination.
Under Dhillon's leadership, the letter said DOJ civil rights lawyers have become "suddenly absent" in communities across the country. It added that this absence leaves communities "vulnerable to further abuse."
"America deserves better," the letter reads.
"The future of the Civil Rights Division is in jeopardy, and with it, the rights it protects," it continued. "We hope that one day we can return the Division to its righteous work."
