DOJ Civil Rights Division Loses Up to 80% of Staff Under DOGE Cuts
NewsData.io · United States · Oct 11, 2026
The Justice Department's Civil Rights Division has seen up to 80% of its attorneys and staff depart since Harmeet Dhillon took over as assistant attorney general in 2025, gutting institutional knowledge and leaving the unit severely shorthanded. Many departures were voluntary exits or early retirements tied to DOGE-driven workforce reductions, with remaining vacancies filled by ideological allies described as inexperienced. The division has also dramatically shifted its enforcement focus, dropping dozens of legacy investigations into voting rights and police misconduct while pursuing new cases on election integrity and campus antisemitism. Recruiters working in government legal or civil rights roles should note a significant talent displacement, with experienced civil rights attorneys now available in the candidate market.
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