‘Reckoning’: Trump allies target DOJ Civil Rights Division, prompting ‘chaos’ and staff ‘exodus’

A large number of lawyers and staff are leaving the Justice Department’s civil rights division due to changes made by Trump administration officials that have drastically altered the division’s goals and focus. Longtime employees describe the departures as a severe weakening of the division’s workforce, and the situation is getting worse as the administration recently brought back a program that allows employees to resign in exchange for continued pay.

According to the NY Times, more than 100 lawyers are expected to accept this offer, adding to the already substantial loss of personnel. The changes introduced under Harmeet K. Dhillon, the new leader of the civil rights division, have caused widespread concern. Dhillon has openly supported the high turnover, suggesting a major change in the division’s priorities, moving away from its usual role of defending the civil rights of vulnerable communities.

As reported by The Guardian, new mission statements issued by Dhillon make it clear that the division is now aligning more closely with the Trump administration’s agenda. This shift is especially noticeable in the voting rights section. All senior officials overseeing this important section were moved to a less significant office dealing with employee complaints.

The DOJ’s Civil Rights Division is in ‘chaos’

Among those reassigned were the section chief, who was responsible for enforcing laws against voter discrimination, and five other top managers. One manager retired, and another was temporarily assigned to a task force on antisemitism.

Additionally, career employees in the voting section were told to drop all ongoing cases without discussion or explanation. This breaks sharply with the division’s usual procedures. The last active case, which involved a challenge under the Voting Rights Act to a Pennsylvania city’s election system, was dismissed following these orders. A similar case in Georgia had already been dropped earlier.

Only one case remains technically active, but a judge has temporarily paused it. These moves have sparked serious worries about the future of federal voting rights enforcement, particularly as many states continue to pass laws that restrict voting access. The civil rights division has historically played a key role in fighting such measures, with resources and credibility that often surpass those of private groups bringing lawsuits.

The division’s strong reputation was built on the nonpolitical work of its career staff, but these recent changes have severely damaged that foundation. Former employees see the removal of experienced managers as a deliberate effort to lower morale, stop civil rights enforcement, and push more people to leave.

These managers acted as an important barrier between political appointees and career lawyers, maintaining consistent standards and review processes. Their removal eliminates this safeguard and could lead to hiring practices influenced by politics.