To: The US Department of Justice
Fire Harmeet K. Dhillon No Tax Dollars Funding Hate Speech
Harmeet K. Dhillon, the assistant attorney general overseeing the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division has engaged in using the regressive and deragatory word "retarded." Her use of this word has gone unchecked, which is unacceptable, as her role includes protecting the rights of people
with intellectual disabilities by enforcing the tenets of the Americans With Disabilities Act. To date, Harmeet Dhilon has not responded to media inquiry regarding her use of the word on social media or has issued an apology, according to an article in the New York Times, Jan. 26, 2026.
As a member of the disability community, I am aware of how hurtful this word is. My son experiences a mild Intellectual Disability, and our community has worked hard to educate the public to a more respectful word that does not invoke shame and humiliation. To utilize a word that refers to Intellectual Disability as a means to heap scorn and displeasure is very damaging. It displays ignorance and willful disregard, especially when our campaign to end it has included heartfelt appeals on its impact.
The Federal Govenement recognized how this word hurts when Barack Obama signed Rosa's Law in 2010.
Please consider signing my petition to fire Harmeet K. Dhillon who is unable/unwilling to understand the inherent dignity of our population. I am hear to speak out on careless hate speech and hold leaders who represent us accountable. If they do not respect us, they should not represent us.
with intellectual disabilities by enforcing the tenets of the Americans With Disabilities Act. To date, Harmeet Dhilon has not responded to media inquiry regarding her use of the word on social media or has issued an apology, according to an article in the New York Times, Jan. 26, 2026.
As a member of the disability community, I am aware of how hurtful this word is. My son experiences a mild Intellectual Disability, and our community has worked hard to educate the public to a more respectful word that does not invoke shame and humiliation. To utilize a word that refers to Intellectual Disability as a means to heap scorn and displeasure is very damaging. It displays ignorance and willful disregard, especially when our campaign to end it has included heartfelt appeals on its impact.
The Federal Govenement recognized how this word hurts when Barack Obama signed Rosa's Law in 2010.
Please consider signing my petition to fire Harmeet K. Dhillon who is unable/unwilling to understand the inherent dignity of our population. I am hear to speak out on careless hate speech and hold leaders who represent us accountable. If they do not respect us, they should not represent us.
Why is this important?
My son recognizes he is different. He might say he has disability, but he cannot connect to his diagnosis of Intellectual Disability because all he can internalize is shame with the word "retarded." Every time he hears someone use the word he needs to necessarily dissociate from disability, and that means he needs to reject himself over and over.
Even if you think you are being cool by using the word, think of how this lands on the people who experience Intellectual Disability and their loved ones.
Now do we want our tax payer dollars to pay the salary of an assitant attorney general who doesn't have the common decency to understand that they, more than anyone, should be modeling respect and compassion?
Even if you think you are being cool by using the word, think of how this lands on the people who experience Intellectual Disability and their loved ones.
Now do we want our tax payer dollars to pay the salary of an assitant attorney general who doesn't have the common decency to understand that they, more than anyone, should be modeling respect and compassion?