President Donald Trump plans to nominate civil rights attorney Harmeet Dhillon to serve as Associate Attorney General, the third-highest position at the Department of Justice, following the sudden resignation of Stanley Woodward from the same role Saturday.
Major Leadership Shake-Up at Justice Department
Dhillon currently serves as Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division, a position she assumed after Senate confirmation in 2025. The Daily Wire first reported Trump’s intention to elevate her this week, confirming sources familiar with internal deliberations. Woodward, who previously defended prominent Trump allies including White House adviser Peter Navarro, FBI Director Kash Patel, and Walt Nauta in the classified documents case, stepped down earlier Saturday. The Justice Department declined to comment on personnel matters when contacted by reporters.
The promotion follows Trump’s recent dismissal of Attorney General Pam Bondi over dissatisfaction with investigations and prosecutions. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche currently serves as acting Attorney General while the administration restructures its legal leadership team. Senior officials discussed demoting Woodward while promoting Dhillon in recent conversations, though final decisions had not been confirmed until Saturday’s resignation accelerated the timeline.
Dhillon’s Record on Civil Rights and Constitutional Issues
Since taking control of the Civil Rights Division, Dhillon has pursued an aggressive agenda aligned with Trump’s priorities. Her office has targeted diversity, equity, and inclusion programs across federal agencies and challenged election practices in multiple states. She has taken legal action on cultural and constitutional issues, establishing herself as a reliable advocate for the administration’s legal strategy. CBS News reported multiple sources confirm Dhillon as the leading contender for the Associate Attorney General position.
What This Means for Trump’s Legal Team
The reshuffle signals Trump’s determination to install loyalists in key Justice Department positions. As Associate Attorney General, Dhillon would oversee civil litigation, antitrust enforcement, and coordinate major department initiatives. Her elevation represents the administration’s most significant recalibration of legal strategy since returning to office. The move positions a tested Trump ally to manage critical prosecutorial decisions and policy enforcement across federal law enforcement. Insiders describe the restructuring as part of a broader effort to assemble a more aggressive leadership team capable of executing the president’s agenda without hesitation or institutional resistance.