Three DOJ officials resign in post-midterm exodus, including head of national security division

Nov 6, 2026

Following Democratic victories in the 2026 midterm elections, three senior Department of Justice officials resigned: National Security Division chief John Eisenberg, Civil Rights Division chief Harmeet Dhillon, and Miami U.S. Attorney Jason Reding Quiñones. The exits effectively halt high-profile investigations into Donald Trump's political rivals, including a grand conspiracy probe targeting former intelligence officials. Incoming Democratic leaders, including Representative Jamie Raskin, pledged aggressive oversight into alleged abuses at the department and warned departing officials to preserve records for congressional testimony.

DOJ resignations following the 2026 midterms

▪Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the resignations of Assistant Attorney General John Eisenberg and U.S. Attorney Jason Reding Quiñones
▪Assistant Attorney General for the National Security Division John Eisenberg, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Harmeet Dhillon, and U.S. Attorney Jason Reding Quiñones resigned from the Department of Justice in November 2026

John Eisenberg's National Security Division tenure

▪John Eisenberg was sworn in as head of the National Security Division in June 2025 and managed counterterrorism, espionage, export control violations, and cyber crime cases
▪Under John Eisenberg's tenure at the National Security Division, former national security adviser John Bolton pleaded guilty in 2026 to mishandling classified information

Harmeet Dhillon's resignation and tenure

▪Harmeet Dhillon altered the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division through a radical overhaul prior to the 2026 midterm elections
▪Under Harmeet Dhillon, the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division lost 27 consecutive legal actions seeking to obtain state voter rolls
▪White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles requested that Harmeet Dhillon remain in her position at the Department of Justice until after the November 2026 midterm elections
▪Harmeet Dhillon tendered her resignation from the Civil Rights Division on November 5, 2026, after previously notifying the White House before the 2026 midterm elections

Jason Reding Quiñones's tenure and grand jury probe

▪U.S. Attorney Jason Reding Quiñones resigned while overseeing a Southern District of Florida grand jury investigation into whether former government officials conspired against Donald Trump from 2016 to 2024
▪During Jason Reding Quiñones's tenure as U.S. Attorney, the Southern District of Florida secured an indictment against former Cuban President Raúl Castro in May 2026
▪Prosecutor Joseph diGenova resigned without bringing any criminal charges

Democratic oversight plans for DOJ

▪Department of Justice officials anticipated personnel turnover following the 2026 midterms as political appointees sought returns to private law practice before facing Democratic congressional oversight
▪Representative Jamie Raskin stated that incoming Democratic majorities in Congress would conduct aggressive oversight into alleged abuses of power and illegal conduct at the Department of Justice
▪Representative Jamie Raskin warned resigning Department of Justice officials to preserve all official records and prepare to testify under oath before Congress