The Freedom From Religion Foundation strongly opposes the nomination of Harmeet Dhillon to lead the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division.
This division is tasked with upholding the civil rights of all Americans, ensuring equal protection under the law, and combating discrimination in all its forms. Dhillon’s track record raises serious concerns about her commitment to these fundamental principles.
Dhillon has been a vocal proponent of policies and legal positions prioritizing religious privilege over individual rights and the separation of church and state. Her history of championing cases that weaponize religious freedom to undermine reproductive rights, LGBTQ-plus equality and public health protections demonstrates a troubling disregard for the rights of vulnerable communities. Her approach is inconsistent with the mission of the Civil Rights Division, which must advocate for justice and fairness, not preferential treatment for religious ideologies.
While running for the chair of the Republican National Committee last year, Dhillon emailed members of Alabama’s Republican Party steering committee to reassure them that despite her Sikh faith, she would still “champion our nation’s Judeo-Christian values.”
Dhillon has also legally represented churches that wanted to gather in large numbers during the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic amid state restrictions. In 2020, the Dhillon Law Group and the Center for American Liberty filed a lawsuit on behalf of two pastors in Riverside County, one pastor in San Bernardino County and one church member in San Bernardino County (all in California) that made it to the Supreme Court. FFRF submitted an amicus brief in the case when it was before the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals contending that California’s public health orders did not target religious activity because the rules also applied to similarly situated secular gatherings.
Under Dhillon’s leadership, there is a significant risk that the Civil Rights Division would shift its focus away from protecting marginalized groups and instead prioritize advancing a narrow, sectarian agenda. Such a shift would be deeply damaging to the cause of civil rights in this country and erode public trust in the Justice Department’s commitment to equality under the law.
FFRF believes leadership in the Civil Rights Division requires a steadfast dedication to upholding the constitutional principle of church-state separation, protecting the religious and nonreligious alike. Dhillon’s record suggests she does not share this commitment, making her unfit for this crucial role.
“Harmeet Dhillon’s track record raises significant concerns about her commitment to upholding the fundamental principles of equality and justice for all,” says FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor. “The Civil Rights Division requires leadership that prioritizes the rights of marginalized communities, free from partisan bias or religious influence.”
At a time when the rights of many Americans are under threat, FFRF stands by its steadfast commitment to protecting the civil rights of all citizens, regardless of their race, religion, gender or sexual orientation, and it demands that the Department of Justice do the same.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is a national nonprofit organization with 40,000 members and several chapters across the country. Our purposes are to protect the constitutional principle of separation between state and church, and to educate the public on matters relating to nontheism.
Photo by Gage Skidmore
