By Ritu Jha-
President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Harmeet K. Dhillon, a California-based attorney and former vice chair of the California Republican Party, to serve as the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the Department of Justice. Dhillon’s nomination has drawn mixed reactions within the Indian American and Sikh communities, reflecting concerns about her alignment with the Trump administration’s policies.
Dhillon, known among the Sikh community as a civil rights advocate, has a history of combating discrimination against Sikh Americans and South Asians. However, some community members are questioning how she will balance her past advocacy with the Trump administration’s civil rights agenda.
The Civil Rights Division, established in 1957, is tasked with protecting civil and constitutional rights for all individuals in the U.S., including combating discrimination based on race, color, sex, disability, religion, and more. If confirmed, Dhillon will lead efforts in these areas.
Amar Shergill, an attorney and Chair Emeritus of the Progressive Caucus of the California Democratic Party, expressed skepticism about Dhillon’s ability to navigate these responsibilities under Trump’s leadership.
“I have known Harmeet for many years, since our time advocating for Sikhs against employment discrimination in a case defended by then-Attorney General Kamala Harris and from our time opposing genocide denier Congressman Ami Bera,” Shergill said. “However, I cannot overstate my repugnance for Trump and MAGA politics and my disappointment that Harmeet supports his presidency. I pray that she acts with wisdom and courage in the best interests of all Americans.”
In response to the nomination, Dhillon thanked Trump in a statement, calling the appointment an honor.
“I look forward to working with (Attorney General nominee) Pam Bondi and the whole team of incredible lawyers at the DOJ!” she wrote on LinkedIn.
Some advocacy groups have tempered their initial praise with calls for scrutiny. The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) initially expressed pride in Dhillon’s nomination but later released a follow-up statement highlighting concerns about her recent positions. SALDEF emphasized the importance of prioritizing equity, justice, and inclusion in civil rights leadership, urging the Senate Judiciary Committee to carefully vet Dhillon’s record.
Shakeel Syed, Executive Director of the South Asian Network, noted the symbolic nature of Dhillon’s nomination, but stressed the need for her to counter Trump’s anti-immigrant policies to gain full support from the community.
Dhillon’s career spans advocacy for civil liberties and high-profile legal victories, including a landmark discrimination case on behalf of a Sikh employee against the state of California. She also founded the Center for American Liberty, a nonprofit focusing on First Amendment and civil liberties issues.
Born in India, Dhillon immigrated to the U.S. with her family and went on to earn degrees from Dartmouth College and the University of Virginia School of Law. She has received numerous awards for her contributions to civil rights and her groundbreaking role in politics, including recognition from SALDEF and the South Asian Bar Association.
Despite her accomplishments, Dhillon’s nomination comes amid broader concerns about rising hate incidents in California. Data from UC Berkeley’s Possibility Lab, released this May, revealed that 23% of religiously motivated hate incidents in the state targeted Hindus, 37% targeted Jewish individuals, and 15% were directed at Muslims.
The Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to review Dhillon’s nomination, which will determine whether she assumes the critical role of safeguarding civil rights and addressing issues such as hate crimes, racial profiling, and voting rights under the Trump administration.
Samir Kalra, Managing Director of Policy & Programs at Hindu American Foundation told indica, “We hope that Ms. Dhillon, if confirmed, will carry out her duties in this role impartially and in a manner that protects and upholds the civil rights of all Americans equally, including Hindu Americans.”
He said that the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the Department of Justice is responsible for conducting, handling, and supervising civil rights matters. Furthermore, the Assistant AG is a litigator for the people in federal civil rights cases.
“We expect that Ms. Dhillon, in her capacity as the Assistant AG, will treat any violation of the civil rights of Hindu Americans with the utmost importance and take action appropriately where necessary, whether its in response to discriminatory and unconstitutional government policies on caste that target and or racially profile Hindu Americans or hate crimes against our places of worship by pro-Khalistani extremists,” Kalra cited.
Adding further, Kalra said if she gets confirmed, he would like to meet with her to discuss the concerns of the Hindu American community. “We have been deeply concerned about the proliferation of Khalistani extremism online over the last several years, as documented by the National Contagion Research Institute, alongside a spate of hate crimes against Hindu temples and individuals.”
“Furthermore, Khalistani apologists have whitewashed such extremism and hate crimes, leading in part to an indifferent attitude from the Department of Justice, which has failed to treat these trends and incidents with the seriousness they deserve,” Kalra lamented. “It is unclear whether Ms. Dhillon, if confirmed, will allow violent pro-Khalistani extremists to continue to act with impunity and commit hate crimes, or whether she will fulfill the mandate of her office and ensure that anyone violating federal hate crimes statutes and other civil rights laws will be prosecuted, regardless of their ideological affiliation or the identity of the victims.”
[Photo courtesy:https://www.dhillonlaw.com/team-showcase/harmeet-k-dhillon/]
