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LeBron James sends cease and desist to 'Bron AI' sports betting app over unauthorized likeness
LeBron James has issued a cease-and-desist letter to an AI-powered sports betting tool that the NBA star says uses his likeness, a spokesperson for James confirmed.
Anish Gupta, the CEO of the app "Bron AI," released a video that features a person resembling James wearing a jersey with his nickname, "Bron," and the number 23.
The character appears to be scrolling through players before stopping on Dillon Brooks, a longtime rival of James.
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"Dillon Brooks? On Kalshi? Hell nah," the character says.
According to Apple's App Store, Bron is "a sports analytics and betting research app with live odds comparisons, data-backed picks, player and team brands, a multi-leg Slip, and bet tracking."
But the striking resemblance to the NBA's all-time leading scorer was enough for James himself to act.
"LeBron is in no way affiliated with this unauthorized use of his likeness," a spokesperson for James said to Front Office Sports.
The letter said the "unauthorized use and illicit exploitation of" James' "name, nickname, likeness, image, persona, and other identifying attributes, materials and related information" were used in the ad. The letter also says that it implies James is "involved with betting on basketball, which is a very serious violation of NBA rules and regulations."
James has a brand deal with the prediction market Polymarket.
The letter is asking Bron AI to permanently stop using James' likeness and tell everyone who uses the app that the Philadelphia 76ers star is not affiliated with the app.
"I’m sure the intent here was for us to send a cease and desist in order to make it a story," James' longtime media adviser Adam Mendelsohn told Front Office Sports. "You would prefer not to respond but you don’t have a choice in a situation like this. It’s not the first time and it won’t be the last. For what it’s worth, these gimmicks never work because people see through it."
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Mamdani distances himself from Hasan Piker's rhetoric, defends having 'conversations' with far-left streamer
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani distanced himself from inflammatory remarks made by Hasan Piker while defending his willingness to associate with the far-left streamer during an exclusive interview with Fox News' Shannon Bream.
When pressed about Piker's past remarks about Hamas, the 9/11 terrorist attacks and Iran's nuclear ambitions, Mamdani made clear he did not share such views.
"I would say those are all things that I disagree with, and I've made very clear about my own opinions," Mamdani said during the "Fox News Sunday" interview.
HASAN PIKER CALLS HAMAS 'FAR MORE MODERATE,' DISMISSES TERROR GROUP’S BRUTAL RULE IN GAZA
"I think that it's important to both be able to be confident in your opinions and be able to have a conversation with those that you disagree with and those that you agree with, because if you just surround yourself with people who echo everything that you say and think, you're going to just end up at home looking at a mirror," he added.
Piker has faced backlash for remarks suggesting that Hamas is better than Israel, the United States deserved the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the Middle East would be more stable if Iran possessed a nuclear weapon.
As he stumped for Democratic candidates ahead of this year's midterms, Piker's rhetoric became a focal point for Republicans who sought to depict progressive and Democratic socialists as extremists.
During an election livestream Tuesday, Piker ramped up his inflammatory rhetoric, fantasizing about jail time for President Donald Trump and Elon Musk and proudly declaring that "woke is back."
DSA ACCUSED OF ‘ELEVATING’ ANTISEMITIC, PRO-TERROR RHETORIC AFTER HASAN PIKER HOSTS ELECTION STREAM
Mamdani has appeared with the controversial streamer despite criticism of Piker's rhetoric, raising questions about the extent to which the two share political views.
In the full interview, set to air on the upcoming "Fox News Sunday" broadcast, Mamdani also faced questions about his membership in the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and whether he supports some of the organization's more controversial positions.
The conversation also touched on the realities of governing New York City compared to his ambitious campaign promises, including a $30 minimum wage, free buses and other proposals.
Tune in Sunday for Shannon Bream's exclusive sitdown with Mayor Mamdani.
Fox News' Brian Flood contributed to this report.
Mamdani confident there's a path for a progressive candidate to the White House in 2028
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani expressed confidence that a progressive presidential candidate could win in 2028 during an interview Wednesday.
Mamdani told NBC's Kristen Welker that progressive policies helped candidates win races across the country Tuesday, specifically pointing to Texas Sen.-elect James Talarico, Georgia governor-elect Keisha Lance Bottoms and South Carolina Sen.-elect Annie Andrews.
"So, Mayor, given this argument that you're making, do you think there is a path for a progressive candidate in the presidential race in 2028?" Welker asked during the interview.
STATE OF PLAY: BLUE WAVE SWEEPS DEMOCRATS INTO POWER, WITH KEY RACES STILL HANGING IN BALANCE
Mamdani replied, "Absolutely."
Asked what gave him confidence, Mamdani said the midterm election results showed that the struggles he has seen in New York City also exist elsewhere, and that Democrats have a "mandate" to address them.
AMERICA SAW THE BLUE WAVE COMING — BUT DRASTICALLY UNDERESTIMATED THE EXTENT OF THE DEM TSUNAMI
"We have heard time and again over the ten months that I've been in office here in New York City, that what we're doing here can't work elsewhere, that what people are concerned about here isn't what people are concerned about across the country," Mamdani said. "And what we saw last night is that the struggles of Americans in Atlanta, of Americans in Allentown, are not all that different than the struggles of Americans in Astoria."
The mayor argued that "dignity" had to be at the heart of American politics and said, "It has to be at the heart of our vision for what comes next, because we've had the debate for a number of years."
"Now is the time for us and the Democratic Party to deliver. And we have to deliver with the same urgency that Americans have given us this mandate," the mayor said.
Y. David Scharf, chairman of Morrison Cohen LLP and head of its Government Strategies & Controversies practice, told Fox News Digital in a statement, "The Mayor is getting ahead of himself. One good night doesn’t make a mandate, not for progressives and frankly not for anybody."
"What voters did tell us is that they’re anxious about kitchen table issues: rent, groceries, gas, and whether their kids can afford to build a life. Voters in Atlanta and Allentown weren’t signing up for democratic socialism. They were asking someone to take those concerns seriously. That message is for both parties, Republicans included. Whoever takes those issues on most convincingly wins in 2028," he added.
Mamdani-backed congressional candidate Claire Valdez was the projected winner in her congressional race against Republican challenger Melvin Rivera, a community activist, on Tuesday.
The district’s strong Democratic lean made Valdez the favorite, and her victory marked another win for the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) in the 2026 midterms. New York’s 7th District was seen as a proxy for the direction of the party in June's primary elections.
Welker also asked Mamdani about whether he would support congressional Democrats pursing the impeachment of President Donald Trump.
"Look, I would support our Congress taking action that will deliver change in Americans' lives that they can feel in their wallets. And I would also support our Congress taking action to confront the corruption that we have seen in Washington," he said. "For far too long, Americans have been voting for a new vision of government. And it's time that we hear that. And don't try and confine it into just one lane of what that politics must mean. I believe in so many of the people elected last night's ability to take action across the board."
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Mamdani also said he was unsure whether pursuing impeachment was part of Democrats' plans when asked whether the effort could backfire.
"What I have heard time and again is how we can move with the urgency of action that's been required by the American people. And to me, it is an urgency that speaks about data centers. It's an urgency that speaks about tariffs. It's an urgency that speaks about the fact that we have continued to fund the violation of international law across so many parts of the world when especially when we're looking at Palestine and even when we're looking at Iran," Mamdani said. "And that is something that needs to be confronted. And I'm excited that the fact that we now have the opportunity to do so."
New Jersey mayor who charged at resident during council meeting concedes election loss
The Republican New Jersey mayor who was physically restrained while charging toward a resident during a Pemberton Township council meeting last month has conceded the mayoral race to his Democratic opponent.
Mayor Matthew Bianchini congratulated Belinda Fontanez in a Facebook post Wednesday.
"The voters of Pemberton Township have spoken, and the results are clear. I offer Belinda Fontanez my sincere congratulations on her victory. As she prepares to take on the responsibility of leading our community, she has my full support for a smooth transition," Bianchini wrote.
"I care deeply about the future of this township, and its success matters far more than any single election," he added.
Bianchini was decisively defeated, earning just over 30% of the vote, according to unofficial results.
'I BASICALLY SNAPPED': NEW JERSEY MAYOR CHARGES AT RESIDENT DURING CHAOTIC COUNCIL MEETING
Bianchini, who was tapped to serve as mayor following the resignation of his predecessor, will remain in the role until the end of this year.
Video footage from an October Pemberton Township council meeting captured the mayor being restrained as he sought to advance toward resident Michael Sawka after Sawka appeared to give the middle-finger gesture at the mayor.
"I am f---in' gettin' you!" Bianchini can be heard declaring as another individual intervening in the tense situation pushed the mayor back.
"I should not have said that," Bianchini told WPVI, adding that it "was wrong" and that he is "not gonna get anybody."
"I will not apologize for my actions last night. If you attack my family, as that resident did last night, I will act," the mayor wrote on Facebook, according to the New York Post.
The Philadelphia Inquirer reported the mayor's wife, who was in the audience during the meeting, noted in a Facebook comment on a Pine Barrens Tribune post, "I am not condoning my husbands [sic] actions but I will say as a parent and a spouse, I get his protection mode."
"He was saying verbally abusive comments about my wife and my daughter," Matthew Bianchini alleged to the Pine Barrens Tribune. "And then he did a hand gesture and looked at my daughter. To me, it appeared like he gave her the finger and that is when I stood up. He looked at me, smiled and gave me the finger and that is when I went out after him."
Bianchini and Sawka have a history of bad blood between them.
The mayor told WPVI, "I just basically snapped," noting, "I hate to put it this way, but ... it's a long time coming."
"Was it wrong? Absolutely. Was it justified? Absolutely. And I would do it again if I had to," the mayor told the outlet.
TRUMP BEDMINSTER GOLF COURSE FALLS TO DEMS AS REPUBLICANS LOSE KEY HOUSE SEAT
Sawka, who according to WPVI denied making comments towards Bianchini's family, told the station, "All I've ever been trying to do is show that we're wasting money."
"His family, his stepdaughter, his stepson, his daughter, they all attack me online, and they just come after me just with personal attacks," Sawka told WPVI.
Bianchini alleged to the Pine Barrens Tribune that Sawka has been harassing his family "for a long time."
"Mr. Sawka has been a thorn in this township's side for a number of years," Bianchini told WPVI.
Ohio's most popular midterm Republican says election results hold a warning for Dems
Ohio's most popular midterm Republican says his party needs to refocus its message into a constructive appeal to voters if the GOP hopes to regain the ground it lost on Election Day.
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose won his race to become Ohio State Auditor on Tuesday night, securing over 2.3 million votes, a total that easily eclipsed any other statewide Republican candidate.
Gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy secured just over 2 million votes in his race, and Sen. Jon Husted secured just under 2.1 million votes in his bid for re-election.
"There are, of course, cycles to American politics, but also I think we as a party need to focus on what we're for, not just what we're against," LaRose told Fox News Digital in an interview. "I mean, we know what we're against. The other side has a bunch of crazy ideas that are dangerous for the future of our states and our nation, but we need to get back to talking about what we're for. We're the party that stands for human freedom, that idea that we're endowed by our Creator with rights, those don't come from government."
"Protecting human freedom, protecting free market principles that people can prosper by, you know, the sweat of their own brow and working hard to build a business, those are really kind of the bread and butter conservative issues that drove me to become a Republican when I first started thinking about politics as a young man myself," he continued.
LaRose went on to point to Ohio Issue 3, a ballot measure requiring Ohio voters to present voter ID when casting their ballots. The overwhelmingly Republican-backed measure sailed through Tuesday's election with over 65% of the vote, even as Republican candidates struggled.
LaRose argued that the measure presents a warning to the midterm election's victorious Democrats that Republican policies remain popular even if candidates fail in their messaging.
TRUMP COUNTRY SEES 20-YEAR GOP GRIP ON GOVERNOR'S MANSION SHATTERED
"Candidly, I wish more conservatives had showed up to vote yesterday, and I think the outcome might have come out a little different. But even among most people that consider themselves Democrats in Ohio, it doesn't compare to Democrats on the coast, right? The East Coast and the West Coast is more of that kind of, you know, woke DEI cuckoo wing of the party. But even in Ohio, most Democrats are pretty common sense people, and of course, showing your ID to vote is common sense," LaRose said.
"Let this be a message to my friends from the other side of the aisle that won their elections in Ohio. Remember that Ohio is not a far left state when it comes to common sense kind of things," he added. "Govern like a Midwestern Democrat and maybe you'll be all right, but if you govern like a coastal Democrat, then I think your time in office is going to be short."
POLLSTERS MISSED THE MARK AGAIN — BUT THIS TIME, IT WASN'T REPUBLICANS THEY UNDERESTIMATED
As Ohio's secretary of state, LaRose had a front-row seat as election tallies started mounting. He said it became clear with around 60% of the vote tallied that Republicans were not going to have a good night.
Nevertheless, he thanked Ohio's 40,000 election workers for their professionalism throughout the election process. LaRose has served as Ohio's elections chief for eight years, and he says his move to state auditor will allow him to keep Ohio's politicians accountable for their spending.
"When they waste your money, we're going to make them infamous, and when they steal your money, we're going to lock them up," he said.
Barstool personality, vocal JMU fan PFTCommenter wants Billy Napier fired less than a year into the job
James Madison's fall from grace has been well documented as of late.
The Dukes went from College Football Playoff darlings and Sun Belt Championship shoo-ins to losers of two games in a row and not even leading their division.
A big reason for this has been the questionable coaching of one Billy Napier.
JAMES MADISON COACH BILLY NAPIER FINALLY REVEALS WHAT WENT WRONG AT FLORIDA IN RECENT INTERVIEW
Longtime readers may already know this, but I haven't exactly made my feelings about Napier a secret.
The former Florida head coach was instrumental in running my favorite college football team into the ground while showing no remorse on the way out, and for a while, Gator fans tried to warn the JMU faithful about Napier's shortcomings.
The reality is now starting to set in for Dukes fans, and many of them are already trying to jump ship from the S.S. Billy just nine games into his tenure in Harrisonburg.
One fan who has been a vocal supporter of JMU football is none other than Barstool's PFTCommenter.
The "Pardon My Take" co host has been waving the purple and gold flag for quite some time as an alum of the university, and was even on record earlier this season as saying he's a fan of Napier.
That has clearly all changed in the past few weeks, as PFT has flipped the script and even claims to want Napier fired in a hilarious rant on the Barstool podcast "Macrodosing."
"I had no idea how bad Billy Napier was," an exasperated PFT said. "Truly, no idea."
His frustrations with Napier stem from back-to-back losses in which the Dukes held halftime leads against opponents they were favored against.
A series of head-scratching coaching decisions and clock management blunders led to JMU losing both games in overtime.
"What I saw is terminal," PFT admits. "That's not something that gets fixed. It doesn't get fixed."
When pressed by his co host, Big T, on whether he wants Napier fired, PFT did not hesitate.
"I do," he stated. "That's how bad it was."
PFT goes on to say it's the decision making from Napier that makes him certain it's already time to make a change, calling it "shocking" and saying no amount of analysts will ever fix it.
To be fair, PFT said he doesn't think Napier is fired any time soon, citing the fact that the first-year head coach was new athletic director Matt Roan's first hire.
Regardless, it sounds like the heat is being turned up on Napier from an unlikely source.
To all the talking heads and rival fans who called the Florida fanbase toxic for wanting Napier fired last year, here's your chance to issue an apology.
If anything, Gator fans were way more patient than they had any right to be, and James Madison's crash back to reality is the proof.
There's nothing toxic about wanting a bad coach gone from your football program.
PFT has the right idea, and I expect more to follow in his footsteps the longer Napier remains at JMU.
Hegseth faces bipartisan impeachment threat after Iran war gets blame for GOP midterm slaughter
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is facing a bipartisan impeachment threat when Congress returns next week as Republicans seethe over their devastating losses in Tuesday's midterm elections.
Bipartisan frustration over the war in Iran, quietly simmering for months, is now openly erupting after Democrats stunned the country with historic victories in the House and Senate. That anger could all now hit Hegseth, with several House Republicans telling Fox News Digital that they believe a resolution to impeach him could pass as early as next week.
"He's screwed," one House GOP lawmaker told Fox News Digital.
Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., a longtime critic of foreign intervention by the U.S., told Fox News Digital he intends to force a vote on impeaching Hegseth when Congress returns if the Pentagon chief does not resign first.
GOP REP THOMAS MASSIE INTRODUCES 8 ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT AGAINST WAR SECRETARY PETE HEGSETH
He'll do so by filing a privileged resolution, a mechanism aimed at getting a vote on legislation despite opposition from the majority party's leaders. Once a privileged resolution is filed, lawmakers have two legislative days to hold a vote.
7 REPUBLICANS REBEL AGAINST TRUMP, VOTE WITH DEMS TO REIN IN IRAN WAR POWERS
But the procedure notably carries two steps. Before a vote on the measure itself, leaders can call up a vote to "table" the bill or refer it to the relevant committee, which in both instances effectively kills it.
That procedural vote is normally where most privileged resolutions die. But in this case, several House Republicans told Fox News Digital they believe the impeachment resolution could ultimately be successful.
GOP LAWMAKER SAYS MORE QUALIFIED OFFICIALS SHOULD LEAD PENTAGON, QUESTIONS HEGSETH'S 'MORAL COMPASS'
"If he introduces it, it'll pass," a second House Republican told Fox News Digital. Two more said they expected the same.
One GOP lawmaker said attendance could be a key factor in impeaching Hegseth. It's highly possible that many Republicans who lost re-election simply do not return for the final two months of the year, that person said. And with just a razor-thin majority, only a handful of absences would be enough for Hegseth to get impeached if all Democrats stuck together.
The Fox News Decision Desk projected Democrats taking the House shortly before midnight on Tuesday. Projections showed that the war in Iran, along with tariff policies, were key drivers in voters turning their backs on the GOP.
And while President Donald Trump told reporters he believes Hegseth is doing "a good job," people in his circle appear to have their knives out.
"Hegseth is on the chopping block," a former White House official told Fox News Digital.
A current White House official said, "[Tuesday] would have looked very different without the Iran war. I believe you’ll ultimately see [Trump] hold Pete Hegseth accountable and that will play out in the lame duck."
‘LAWYER UP’: DEMS IMMEDIATELY PUT TRUMP ON NOTICE AMID REPUBLICANS' MIDTERM BLOODBATH
But the White House criticized the potential impeachment push on Thursday.
"As the President has said, he's willing to work with anyone to continue delivering victories for hardworking Americans. If Democrats choose to pursue sham investigations and radical left policies, they are choosing to work against the American people," White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis told Fox News Digital.
And another White House official said, "If crazed Democrats want to abuse their power and politicize their process of investigations, subpoenas, and destroying lives, they should be reminded that we still control the federal government and all of its powers."
Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell on Wednesday dismissed rumors that Trump could get rid of Hegseth himself.
"Secretary Hegseth will not back down or be deterred by politicians seeking to score partisan points or launch phony investigations where no wrongdoing exists. The Department of War has followed the law and our Secretary will continue to stand and fight every single day to support and defend the Constitution, lead our troops, and protect America," he told Fox News Digital.
It's also worth noting that the majority of House Republicans will still oppose impeaching Hegseth — and many are still skeptical.
"I really doubt [it]," another House Republican told Fox News Digital. "Depends on if anyone wants to flip off the president walking out the door."
There is likely to be healthy support on the other side of the aisle for such a push as well.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., who is poised to become the next speaker, has consistently criticized Hegseth. He posted on X Thursday morning, "Why is Pete Hegseth still around?"
Even more moderate Democrats have signaled their support, given the administration did not seek the consent of Congress at any point during the ordeal.
"I've said a long, long time ago that he's not qualified for the job, and he should be removed, and I think we're going to pursue that," Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., who is expected to take over leadership of the House Armed Services Committee next year, told CNN's "This Morning" last month.
If Hegseth were impeached, he would not be removed before a trial in the U.S. Senate.
Fox News Digital reached out to the committee's Republican majority and the Pentagon for comment.
Putin accuses hockey organizations of 'gross violation' as Canada bars Russia from World Juniors
Vladimir Putin put out a statement through the state-run Russian outlet TASS calling out organizations that are preventing Russian athletes from competing for their country.
The statement comes as Hockey Canada and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced, despite the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) lifting the ban, that Russian athletes will not be able to participate in next month's World Junior Championships in Alberta.
"Unfortunately, they have not honored the commitments they once made, and they continue to enforce restrictions against Russian sports that are not based on law, but are instead highly politicized," Putin said, via translation. "This constitutes a clear and gross violation of the law and of judicial rulings — and, by extension, a violation of the very institutions of democracy. That is precisely how this should be interpreted."
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Russia did not compete in Olympic hockey earlier this year, the first since 2014 that had NHL players, nor was it included in the NHL's 4 Nations Face-Off . Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, four days after Olympic competition ended that year.
Belarusian Foreign Ministry also accused Canada of discrimination.
"A country hosting an international sporting event is required to ensure that participants are admitted—this is a fundamental principle of organizing any international tournament. The denial of visas constitutes discrimination on the basis of nationality and contradicts the Olympic principle of 'sport outside of politics...'" Ruslan Varanov, spokesperson for the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Thursday.
"Winners in sports should be determined on the field, not at visa centers."
The CAS ruled on Friday that Russian teams can compete in upcoming men's and women's world championships, overturning the International Ice Hockey Federation's (IIHF) decisions to exclude them from its competitions. The World Juniors will be the first tournament affected by the decision.
Sweden, Finland, the Czech Republic, Norway, Latvia and Denmark came out with statements signing up for a boycott of games against Russia as long as the war in Ukraine is ongoing.
"While Russia and Belarus are supporting this illegal and unjustified horrific war in Ukraine, as long as that's going on, there will be none of those athletes competing for their countries in Canada," Carney said. "So, if you're asking specifically about the World Juniors, the Russians will not be there."
"Hockey Canada thanks the Government of Canada for today’s strong position that Canada intends to prevent Russian and Belarusian officials and athletes from participating under their national symbols in international sporting events taking place on Canadian soil," Hockey Canada said in a statement. "We will be meeting with our Board of Directors this week to discuss next steps given the government’s clear position."
STRAUSS, a workwear company that is a top sponsor of the world championships next year, threatened to walk away after Finland announced Monday it was rallying other nations to refuse to play Russia.
"We have been a partner of the Ice Hockey World Championship for many years and value our collaboration with the IIHF. Should Russia’s national team participate in the 2027 World Championship in Germany as a result of the CAS ruling, we will forgo all logo exposure associated with the tournament. We are also considering withdrawing as a sponsor," STRAUSS said Tuesday.
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If Russia makes the trip next month, it will be its first time playing in the World Juniors since 2021. It has not won gold since 2011.
DOJ civil rights chief Harmeet Dhillon resigns, says White House asked her to wait until after midterms
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon is resigning as head of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, telling Fox News Digital exclusively that she made the decision weeks before Republicans' midterm losses and was asked by White House chief of staff Susie Wiles to delay her departure until after the election.
"I wasn't asked to resign," Dhillon told Fox News Digital. "I resigned three weeks ago, and Susie asked me to please wait until after the midterms."
Dhillon formally submitted her resignation on November 5, according to a letter obtained by Fox News Digital.
Dhillon said she informed Wiles three weeks before Election Day that she believed she had "accomplished everything" she came to Washington to do and wanted to return to private practice.
BONTA SAYS HE'LL COUNTER DOJ ELECTION MONITORS WITH OBSERVERS OF HIS OWN
Asked if she would testify before Congress if subpoenaed after leaving the administration, Dhillon said there would be limits on what she could discuss because of executive privilege but indicated she would seek legal advice and follow it.
"I would certainly take legal counsel and follow it in that regard," she said.
Dhillon was also asked whether she expected Trump to pardon her or other administration officials if congressional Democrats sought to target them.
"I have no idea. I haven't ever discussed that with him, asked for it," Dhillon said. "And I have done nothing, in my opinion, that would require that, but, you know, that's up to the president."
She revealed that the decision to leave the DOJ ultimately came down to wanting to return to the work she had done for much of her career in the private sector.
Dhillon moved to Washington following the deaths of her husband and father to "serve my country," but after roughly two years in the administration, she believed the time has come to leave.
"My decision, my choice," Dhillon said. "It's time."
"Today, I accepted the resignation of Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon," Attorney General Todd Blanche wrote on X. "She has defended the civil liberties of every American and enforced the law without fear or favor. The Department is grateful for her dedicated public service, and we wish her every success in her future endeavors."
She was nominated by President Donald Trump in December 2024 and was sworn into office in April 2025 after being confirmed by the Senate. She is leaving after Trump's Republican Party lost the House and Senate in this week's midterm elections.
In the lead-up to the midterms, Dhillon defended the Trump administration's investigation into noncitizen voters.
"There are people who feel that the point is to sow distrust about the whole election system. There are very few people who are noncitizens who end up voting — very, very few. And so, therefore, what's the purpose?" Lesley Stahl, host of CBS' "60 Minutes," had asked Dhillon.
Dhillon's departure caps a roughly 19-month tenure in which the longtime conservative attorney carried out a sweeping overhaul of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, shifting its priorities toward issues including DEI and race-conscious policies, religious discrimination, transgender participation in women's sports, Second Amendment rights and election integrity.
The transformation also brought extraordinary turnover inside the division, with roughly 300 attorneys departing during Trump's second term, according to recent reports. Dhillon has aggressively sought to rebuild its ranks, telling Fox News Digital that she recruited more than 130 lawyers during her tenure.
Before joining the administration, Dhillon founded the Dhillon Law Group and the Center for American Liberty and built a national profile litigating First Amendment, election law and other civil-rights cases. A longtime Republican Party official and Trump ally, she was nominated by Trump in December 2024 and confirmed by the Senate in April 2025.
Her appointment drew fierce opposition from Democrats and some traditional civil-rights groups, while conservatives argued that she would redirect a division they believed had become ideologically tilted under previous administrations.
"We changed it, and that's what we came here to do. And it's done," Dhillon told Fox News Digital.
Fox News Digital's Lindsay Kornick and Hanna Panreck contributed to this post.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
Abdul El-Sayed puts hands on Sky News reporter in hostile confrontation hours before election victory
Michigan Democrat Abdul El-Sayed, had a viral, combative exchange with Sky News reporter James Matthews just hours before his Senate victory Tuesday, even putting his hands on the journalist.
"Are you registered to vote in the state of Michigan?" El-Sayed asked as he walked up to reporter James Matthews.
"I'm not," the British correspondent, who is based in the U.S., responded.
"Why would I care to have a conversation with you?" the Democrat fired back.
EL-SAYED MOCKS TRUMP, VANCE AND ROGERS IN GLOATING VICTORY SPEECH SIGNALING COMBATIVE TONE IN SENATE
After Matthews said he was a journalist, El-Sayed scoffed and replied, "in the U.K."
"You know how many votes I want to get in the U.K.? Zero," El-Sayed told Matthews as he placed both hands on the reporter's shoulders. "I'm never running for office in the U.K."
Matthews stressed that the 2026 midterms "matters to the world" and told El-Sayed he was "bidding to be a senator."
DEMS SEIZE THE SENATE AS BLUE TIDAL WAVE CRASHES DEEP INTO TRUMP COUNTRY, TOPPLES GOP STRONGHOLDS
"A senator in where? What country? What country?" El-Sayed retorted while placing his hands on Matthews' shoulders again.
"The United States," Matthews answered.
"What country are you with?" El-Sayed then asked.
"I'm based in the United States," Matthews said.
"But you report for where? Where are your viewers?" El-Sayed interrupted.
El-Sayed dismissed Matthews when claiming Sky News viewers were international, insisting "Sky News is not viewed in the United States of America," then sneering that "like five people" watch the network in the U.S.
"I've answered all the questions, I've answered all the questions for the viewers of the United Kingdom. So I'm going to ask you to stop chasing me around. Please," El-Sayed said before walking away. Matthews denied to El-Sayed he was "chasing" him around.
MICHIGAN VOTERS MAKE SURPRISING CROSS-PARTY CHOICES AS ROGERS, EL-SAYED RACE REACHES FINAL HOURS
According to Sky News, Matthews "repeatedly sought an interview" with El-Sayed. The Democrat had another tense exchange with Matthews on Monday as he attempted to press him about the defection of Democratic Michigan Rep. Haley Stevens, who had endorsed GOP rival Mike Rogers.
"If you keep being in my way, I'm not going to be very happy," El-Sayed told the reporter.
Sky News issued a statement in support of its reporter.
"We’re proud of our correspondent James Matthews, who was doing his job: covering the election campaign and asking straightforward questions on behalf of our audiences," a Sky News spokesman told Fox News Digital. "The outcome of U.S. elections has ramifications globally, including in the U.K. and across the 138 countries worldwide where millions of people consume Sky News."
The El-Sayed campaign didn't respond to Fox News Digital's requests for comment.
El-Sayed, who has had multiple tense exchanges with reporters in the run-up to the midterms, defeated Rogers in the closely watched Senate race for a seat Republicans were hoping to flip this election cycle.
Democrats won control of both the House and Senate in Tuesday's midterm elections, dealing Republicans a major setback.