Amid ongoing efforts by the Trump administration to reorganize the Department of Justice’s civil rights unit, two senior supervisors have been temporarily reassigned. Regan Rush, formerly the chief of the special litigation section, and Rebecca Bond, who led the disability rights section, have been detailed to other offices within the department. These moves are viewed as part of Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon’s new strategic direction for the division.
The special litigation section, under Rush’s leadership, focused on upholding the civil rights of individuals in interactions with law enforcement and within the prison system. In contrast, the disability rights section, led by Bond, was dedicated to enforcing legal protections for individuals with disabilities.
Additional reshuffling includes several deputy chiefs, highlighting an administrative shift that follows Dhillon’s swearing-in on April 7. As a well-known figure for advocating conservative stances on key issues such as religious liberty and college campus free speech, Dhillon’s appointments and strategic priorities reflect her legal background, including her role as personal lawyer to former President Donald Trump. Her priorities emphasize Second Amendment rights, combating antisemitism in educational institutions, and addressing the participation of transgender athletes in sports.
This wave of change coincides with voluntary exits of various career leaders within the division, notably those overseeing the education and appellate sectors. Notably, employees were recently provided with another chance to accept deferred resignation, offering them paid leave until formal separation by September’s end. For further information on these administrative changes, you can view the report from Bloomberg Law.