Official Who Waged War on DEI Out at DOJ
Brett Shumate, who led the Department of Justice’s Civil Division, resigned on Monday, less than one week after Republicans were blown out in the midterm elections.
The post requires Senate confirmation, which means Republicans must move quickly if they hope to fill it before the new Congress is sworn in.
Attorney General Todd Blanche announced Shumate’s resignation on social media and praised him for securing major policy victories during his tenure.
“Under his leadership, the Division pursued important affirmative litigation to challenge sanctuary policies and delivered key wins in lawsuits against local policies that endangered federal law enforcement,” Blanche wrote on X.
“The Division also secured historic settlements to end illegal corporate DEI practices and shuttered dozens of clinics which were providing so-called ‘gender affirming care’ to minors,” he added.
Today I accepted the resignation of Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate of the Civil Division. Under his leadership, the Division pursued important affirmative litigation to challenge sanctuary policies and delivered key wins in lawsuits against local policies that endangered federal law enforcement. The Division also secured historic settlements to end illegal corporate DEI practices and shuttered dozens of clinics which were providing so-called “gender affirming care” to minors. We are grateful for Brett’s service at DOJ and wish him continued success.
— Attorney General Todd Blanche (@AGToddBlanche) November 9, 2026
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Shumate isn’t the only Justice Department attorney to depart following last week’s elections.
Harmeet Dhillon, who led the Civil Rights Division of the DOJ, resigned on Wednesday, with Blanche issuing a similar post on X following her decision.
“Today, I accepted the resignation of Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, who led the Civil Rights Division with conviction the past 18 months,” he wrote.
“She has defended the civil liberties of every American and enforced the law without fear or favor. The Department is grateful for her dedicated public service, and we wish her every success in her future endeavors.
Today, I accepted the resignation of Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, who led the Civil Rights Division with conviction the past 18 months. She has defended the civil liberties of every American and enforced the law without fear or favor. The Department is grateful for her dedicated public service, and we wish her every success in her future endeavors.
— Attorney General Todd Blanche (@AGToddBlanche) November 5, 2026
Dhillon said back in August that she was planning on returning to her law firm, Dhillon Law Group, which is based in California, after her work at the DOJ was finished.
“In terms of private practice, when the president is done with me, I loved being a lawyer in private practice,” Dhillon said, adding that she would take what she learned in the department to “continue to help plaintiffs.”
Dhillon explained how her resignation was pre-planned and that she was asked to delay her departure until after the midterms.
“I wasn’t asked to resign,” Dhillon told Fox News Digital. “I resigned three weeks ago, and Susie [Wiles] asked me to please wait until after the midterms.”
South Florida U.S. Attorney Jason Reding Quinones and National Security Division head John Eisenberg have also left the DOJ, ABC News reported.
It is still unclear whether the Trump administration will push for quick confirmations from the lame-duck GOP Congress, or wait until next year, when the new Democratic majorities have taken control of both chambers.
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