Justice Department official outlines sweeping investigations into alleged illegal DEI practices

Assistant Attorney General Harmit Dhillon told the Senate Judiciary Committee’s subcommittee on the Constitution on July 1 that the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division has opened and is pursuing multiple investigations and enforcement actions aimed at practices it characterizes as illegal diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

Dhillon, the assistant attorney general for civil rights, said the division has opened inquiries into about 50 major universities, 16 law schools and seven medical schools and is “in discussions with many educational institutions” about ending what the division alleges are unlawful DEI programs. She told senators the division is also investigating state and local hiring practices and employment policies, and has pursued Title VII matters against employers including law firms that ran diversity fellowships that excluded white men.

Why it matters: Dhillon and several senators framed the work as enforcement of federal civil rights statutes where the government has reason to believe programs or practices treat individuals differently on prohibited bases. The matters…