The departure of an attorney whose firm represented Texas Gun Rights raises urgent questions about the future of DOJ’s dedicated Second Amendment Section.
Harmeet Dhillon has resigned as head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, removing a key advocate for treating the Second Amendment as a civil right from one of Washington’s most consequential legal posts.
Dhillon submitted a resignation letter dated November 5. According to Fox News’ reporting, Attorney General Todd Blanche accepted it Thursday.
For Texas Gun Rights, the loss is both professional and personal. Dhillon previously represented TXGR, and Dhillon Law Group spearheaded the forced reset trigger lawsuit involving the organization. Under her leadership, the Civil Rights Division established its first dedicated Second Amendment Section.
That section is led by former TXGR Board Chairman Barry Arrington, whom is Acting Chief. TXGR announced his move to DOJ in March.
His work continues. But the departure of the official leading the division above him raises a serious question: will the next Civil Rights chief strengthen Second Amendment enforcement or allow it to lose momentum?
Gun Rights Finally Had a Dedicated Place at DOJ
The Second Amendment Section represented an important change in how the federal government approached the right to keep and bear arms.
Rather than leaving gun owners to shoulder every fight against unconstitutional restrictions themselves, the Justice Department established a unit dedicated to protecting that right.
Its publicly stated responsibilities include investigating infringements, pursuing litigation, and supporting legal arguments defending the Second Amendment through statements of interest and amicus briefs.
That mission has already produced concrete action.
In September, DOJ sued San Jose over firearm carry permit fees approaching $1,600, with the Second Amendment Section involved in the case. In October, DOJ opened an investigation into alleged unconstitutional firearm-permit delays in Pennsauken, New Jersey, through the section.
The Civil Rights Division also sued California in July to challenge its Glock ban and handgun roster.
These lawsuits and investigations show what federal enforcement can look like. They are not finished court victories. Seeing them through requires attorneys, resources, and leadership willing to confront unconstitutional gun control.
Keeping a section’s name on an organizational chart is not enough if its work is delayed, deprived of resources, or pushed aside.
“Harmeet Dhillon helped make the Justice Department treat the Second Amendment like the civil right it is,” said Texas Gun Rights President Chris McNutt.
“Her departure is a major loss. The answer cannot be to let that work stall. The next Civil Rights chief must give the Second Amendment Section the backing it needs to challenge unconstitutional gun control, not put it on the back burner.”
What Is Known About Her Departure
According to Dhillon’s comments to Fox News, she was not forced out. She said she had decided weeks earlier to return to private practice and remained through the midterm elections at the request of White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.
No successor had been publicly announced as of Thursday evening, November 5.
Her resignation does not, by itself, eliminate the Second Amendment Section or end its cases. DOJ continues to list Arrington as its Acting Chief, and no public announcement indicates that he is departing.
But leadership changes can affect which cases receive attention, whether attorneys have the resources they need, and how aggressively an agency pursues its mission.
Texas Gun Rights is concerned about that direction. The section’s leadership should not have to fight for permission to treat gun rights as equal to the other rights the division exists to protect.
Keep the Second Amendment Section on Offense
President Trump and Attorney General Blanche now face an important leadership decision.
Texas Gun Rights is calling for a Civil Rights chief committed to protecting the Second Amendment Section’s mission, supporting its attorneys, and continuing aggressive enforcement against unconstitutional gun control.
Gun owners should judge the next appointment by action: whether the section pursues cases, challenges infringements, and receives the resources necessary to do its job.
A dedicated Second Amendment Section was an important step. Allowing it to drift into inaction would squander that progress while leaving gun owners to bear the consequences.
Dhillon’s departure must not become the start of a retreat. Keep the attorneys working. Keep the cases moving. Keep the Second Amendment Section on offense.
Chip in below to help Texas Gun Rights demand accountability in Washington and keep pressure on federal leaders to defend the right to keep and bear arms.
