Trump Set to Appoint Firebrand Attorney Harmeet Dhillon After Sudden Resignation of Current No. 3: Report
President Donald Trump is reportedly preparing to tap civil rights chief Harmeet Dhillon for a powerful promotion to Associate Attorney General, the third-highest position inside the Department of Justice.
Multiple reports indicate Dhillon, who currently serves as Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division, is a leading contender for the role amid ongoing shake-ups following the removal of Attorney General Pam Bondi, CBS News reported.
A source familiar with the matter also said Stanley Woodward, who previously held the position, resigned earlier on Saturday, according to Daily Wire.
SCOOP: President Donald Trump plans to nominate @HarmeetKDhillon to be DOJ’s Associate Attorney General this week, @realDailyWire has learned. Source familiar also says Stanley Woodward, who previously held the position, resigned earlier on Saturday.
— Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) April 5, 2026
Dhillon has emerged as one of the most reliable legal warriors in Trump’s second administration.
After being confirmed in 2025 to lead the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, she quickly set about reshaping the office in line with the president’s agenda, targeting DEI programs, challenging election practices, and taking aggressive legal action on cultural and constitutional issues.
The reported move comes on the heels of a major DOJ shake-up after Trump ousted Bondi, citing dissatisfaction with high-profile investigations and lack of prosecutions.
While Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche is currently serving as acting AG, insiders say Trump is assembling a more aggressive and loyal leadership team and Dhillon appears to be at the center of that transformation.
Recent reporting also confirms that Dhillon has been floated among top candidates for senior DOJ roles as the administration recalibrates its legal strategy.
CBS News reported:
The changes are most likely to affect Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward, the No. 3 official at the Justice Department and Harmeet Dhillon, the Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division.
Senior officials have discussed promoting Dhillon to one of the top department roles, while demoting Woodward, the sources added. It was unclear if final decisions had been made yet.
[…]
A Justice Department spokesperson declined to comment on personnel matters.
Mr. Trump named Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche as acting attorney general earlier this week. It is unclear whether he will eventually be the permanent replacement. Other front-runners include Lee Zeldin, a former congressman who currently leads the Environmental Protection Agency, CBS previously reported.
Woodward previously served as a defense attorney representing many prominent Trump allies in the past, including White House adviser Peter Navarro, FBI Director Kash Patel and Walt Nauta, who was charged by Special Counsel Jack Smith in the classified documents case.
Related story:
JUST IN: Trump Impending Leadership Changes May Affect Two More Top Roles
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