NCJW Opposes Harmeet Dhillon for Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights
February 24, 2025
United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary
224 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Chairman Grassley, Ranking Member Durbin, and Committee Members:
On behalf of the 225,000 advocates of the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), I write to express our strong opposition to the nomination of Harmeet Dhillon for Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights.
The Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice was established under the Civil Rights Act of 1957 to uphold the civil and constitutional rights of all Americans, particularly the most vulnerable. This division is responsible for enforcing anti-discrimination laws, protecting voting rights, prosecuting hate crimes, safeguarding abortion access, and upholding broad civil rights protections for all, regardless of race, immigration status, gender, income, religion, political party, or any other factor. Yet, throughout her career, Harmeet Dhillon has demonstrated open hostility toward these very principles. She has falsely claimed that Democrats and tech companies perpetuate racism and suppress liberties, weaponizing anti-discrimination laws to shield white men while justifying discrimination against women. Likewise, she has weaponized religion to challenge COVID-19 policies at the height of the pandemic.
Ms. Dhillon’s extensive anti-abortion record further demonstrates her disregard for the very rights the Civil Rights Division is meant to protect. She has described herself as a legal advocate for the anti-abortion movement, representing activists like David Daleiden, who fabricated a company to secretly record meetings with National Abortion Federation and Planned Parenthood employees, later releasing deceptively edited footage to vilify abortion providers. Additionally, she has argued that shield laws — designed to protect abortion providers, helpers, and patient medical records from civil and criminal liability — are unconstitutional.
Her record on voting rights is equally concerning. Ms. Dhillon has filed numerous lawsuits challenging voting rights laws, redistricting efforts, and election processes across the country. She also contested the results of the 2020 election, even suggesting that Supreme Court justices should intervene on behalf of President Trump.
Just as troubling is Ms. Dhillon’s history on LGBTQ+ rights. She has represented clients who seek to undermine transgender protections, advocated for overturning state laws safeguarding transgender individuals, and used social media to promote extreme anti-transgender views. She has testified in support of dozens of state laws restricting access to gender-affirming care for transgender youth and even appeared in the film DETRANS: The Dangers of Gender-Affirming Care, produced and distributed by a conservative advocacy group.
Appointing a staunch conservative activist with a long record of attacking civil rights to lead the Civil Rights Division is a direct contradiction of the division’s purpose and mission: to protect the rights and liberties of all people in this country. At every turn, Ms. Dhillon has demonstrated that her priority is not justice but rather weaponizing the law to obstruct progress, undermine civil rights, and strip protections from the most vulnerable. NCJW strongly urges you to reject the nomination of Harmeet Dhillon for Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights.
Sincerely,
Jody Rabhan
Chief Policy Officer
National Council of Jewish Women