DOJ Civil Division chief steps down in leadership shakeup
The gist
Brett Shumate, head of the Justice Department's Civil Division, submitted his resignation Monday.
His exit follows the midterms, when Democrats won control of Congress.
How it unfolded
- Apr 2025Harmeet Dhillon is confirmed by the Senate to lead the DOJ Civil Rights Division.
- Nov 3, 2026Democrats sweep the midterm elections, winning control of the House and Senate.
- Nov 5, 2026Attorney General Todd Blanche announces he accepted Dhillon's resignation after 18 months leading the Civil Rights Division; she is reported as the first senior DOJ official to leave after the midterms.
Key terms
- DOJ
- Executive department of the U.S. federal government that enforces federal laws and administers justice.
- Civil Division
- A division of the U.S. Department of Justice that enforces federal laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, sex, disability, religion, and national origin.
- Senate-confirmed
- The Senate's approval of a presidential appointment, as part of advice and consent.
Source: Wikipedia