Kamal Ghorui
Harmeet Dhillon, a senior US Justice Department official of Indian origin, stirred a row after attending the wedding celebrations of a key organiser of the January 6 rally, even as reports suggest she could be in line for a promotion in the DOJ.Photos shared on social media show Dhillon at the Palm Beach wedding festivities of Republican fundraiser Caroline Wren, who played a role in organising the “Save America” rally held on January 6, 2021. The event was held before the attack on the US Capitol. In one image, Dhillon is seen posing with Wren during a yacht party attended by figures from pro-Trump and MAGA political circles.Dhillon currently heads the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and is being discussed as a possible candidate for a higher role within the department. She could be considered for positions such as associate attorney general, although no official announcement by the government has been made. Her appearance at the private celebration has drawn attention due to Wren’s efforts to challenge the 2020 US presidential election results. Wren has remained active in Republican politics and has publicly supported Dhillon’s rise. During the 2023 Republican National Committee chair race, Wren backed Dhillon and promoted her campaign among party donors and activists.More recently, Wren has again voiced support for Dhillon’s advancement. Responding to criticism of Dhillon’s record, she wrote on X, “Promote her.”Dhillon responded to the attention around the photos with a post on X. “BREAKING!!! She had a great time and she got this dress on sale! Sources say she made new friends!” she wrote.Dhillon is an Indian American lawyer of Punjabi Sikh origin, born in India and raised in the United States. She is the founder of the Dhillon Law Group and previously served as vice chair of the California Republican Party. The Justice Department has not commented on any potential promotion, and it remains unclear whether Dhillon will be formally considered for a higher post.
