Attorney General Todd Blanche announced on Nov. 10, 2026, that President Donald Trump appointed Craig Trainor as the acting head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, following the resignation of Harmeet Dhillon last week.
Trainor, who previously served as the Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, will oversee the division on an acting basis. His appointment comes amid multiple vacancies at the DOJ after Democrats gained control of Congress in the 2024 midterm elections. Blanche stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that Trainor will lead the division’s enforcement of civil rights statutes nationwide.
Craig Trainor’s Background and Role
Trainor, a former aide to Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), has held several positions within the federal government. Before his role at HUD, he served in the Department of Education and clerked for a judge who twice struck down laws related to concealed carry restrictions. Blanche highlighted Trainor’s work at HUD, where he was credited with reducing the Biden-era fair housing case backlog by half and overseeing nationwide enforcement of HUD civil rights statutes. His appointment does not yet indicate a permanent position, and it remains unclear whether he will be nominated for the role on a full-time basis.
Dhillon’s Tenure and Policy Shifts
Dhillon, who was confirmed to the Civil Rights Division in April 2025, oversaw significant changes to the division’s priorities during her tenure. She redirected the division’s focus toward obtaining state voter rolls and challenging diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies in universities. In September 2025, she announced the DOJ would terminate dozens of deceased desegregation cases, describing them as “onerous and outdated consent decrees” still receiving federal funding.
Additional Resignations and Leadership Changes
Blanche also noted the resignation of Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate, who had been involved in cases targeting corporate DEI practices and the closure of clinics providing gender-affirming care to minors. Shumate’s work included litigation against sanctuary policies and lawsuits challenging local policies that conflicted with federal law enforcement priorities. The DOJ did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the transition or future appointments.