Brett Shumate directs DOJ Civil Division to pursue denaturalization, anti-DEI, and transgender care restrictions.

Shumate Sets Immediate Priorities for DOJ Civil Division

Brett Shumate, the newly confirmed head of the Department of Justice’s Civil Division, issued a memo within hours of being sworn in, directing attorneys to prioritize litigation in areas that align with President Donald Trump’s policy agenda. The division, traditionally focused on defending the government in civil lawsuits, will now expand its focus to include proactive legal actions.

In the memo, Shumate instructed staff to center their efforts on investigating and prosecuting issues such as antisemitism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) practices, restrictions on transgender medical care, and denaturalization of individuals who allegedly obtained U.S. citizenship unlawfully.

“The Civil Division will use all available resources to pursue affirmative litigation combatting unlawful discriminatory practices in the private sector,” Shumate stated in the directive, indicating a strong pivot toward offense-oriented legal action.

This marks a notable shift in the mission of the DOJ’s largest division, which typically handles non-criminal matters involving federal agency defense. The Civil Division has been actively defending the Trump administration against a wave of lawsuits tied to executive orders and policies ranging from tariff authority and birthright citizenship to recent actions involving the National Guard deployment in California.

Coordination Across Divisions to Amplify Agenda

Shumate’s memo also reveals a strategic partnership with the Civil Rights Division to target DEI-related practices using the False Claims Act, typically employed in cases of fraud against the federal government. The joint effort suggests a broadened interpretation of discrimination enforcement, refocusing federal resources against diversity initiatives increasingly criticized by the administration.

Shumate, who was confirmed by the Senate along party lines on Monday, is widely seen as a Trump loyalist. His prior tenure in the Civil Division during the first Trump term and his work at the Washington-based law firm Jones Day, which has represented the president, signal his alignment with executive goals.

His appointment and immediate policy direction reflect a larger shift in the Department of Justice under Attorney General Pam Bondi. Both officials have emphasized restoring what they view as constitutional boundaries in federal civil litigation and targeting policies perceived as ideologically driven or legally unsupported.

By empowering the Civil Division to pursue denaturalization and litigation against DEI programs, Shumate’s directive aims to solidify a legal strategy consistent with the Trump administration’s second-term objectives. The approach not only changes how the DOJ litigates but also how it interprets civil law’s role in shaping national policy.

While the memo’s full implications remain to be seen, it sets the tone for a more aggressive federal legal posture, one that seeks to redefine the boundaries of civil litigation across education, healthcare, and immigration law.