Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon publicly attacked conservative influencers on X after criticism that she has not moved swiftly on Jan. 6-related investigations. She called some critics "hoes," drawing sharp reactions and charges of hypocrisy after earlier efforts to boost her online following. The incident follows Dhillon's prior comments advocating a "new era of conservative lawfare" and highlights friction between MAGA expectations and the Justice Department's institutional limits.
Harmeet Dhillon Sparks Backlash After Calling Critics 'Hoes' on X
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, who leads the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division and previously served as a lawyer for Donald Trump's campaign, publicly lashed out on X (formerly Twitter) after sustained criticism from conservative commentators and segments of the MAGA base.
Critics have accused Dhillon of reshaping the Civil Rights Division to reflect Trump-era priorities and of not moving quickly enough to pursue charges related to investigators of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack and inquiries into former President Trump’s role. Similar frustrations have been directed at other Trump-era officials, including Attorney General Pam Bondi and former FBI Director Kash Patel.
Harmeet Dhillon speaks at the National Conservatism Conference in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 2, 2025.(Dominic Gwinn / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images)
On Sunday night Dhillon responded in a series of blunt posts that singled out conservative influencers she said were spreading misinformation. In one widely shared message she wrote:
"'Conservative' influencers, if you think you are 'keeping the pressure on' or 'winning' by spreading bullshit attacks on @realDonaldTrump's hand-picked cabinet, you are NOT. You are earning money to spread misinformation. You are hoes. Learn an honest profession!"
Observers noted an element of irony: earlier reports said Dhillon had asked followers for help increasing her X account's visibility. Critics also pointed to a 2023 interview in which Dhillon and conservative activist Charlie Kirk advocated for a "new era of conservative lawfare," a strategy that encouraged aggressive legal action aligned with conservative goals.
The episode underscores growing tensions between political pressure from partisan supporters and the institutional limits and obligations of the Justice Department. Supporters argue Dhillon faces unrealistic demands; opponents say she has stoked expectations she cannot—or will not—fulfill. Either way, the public exchange has deepened divisions within conservative circles and raised questions about how political loyalty and prosecutorial discretion intersect inside the Justice Department.
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