Trump Civil Rights Pick Says Target’s DEI Efforts May Be Illegal

President Donald Trump’s pick to head the Justice Department’s civil rights division told senators that Target Corp. may have acted illegally in pledging to increase the representation of Black employees across its workforce.

Republican senators pressed Harmeet Dhillon at a hearing Wednesday about the legality of so-called diversity, equity and inclusion programs in the private sector and within government.

Republican Senator Eric Schmitt of Missouri said Target stated in 2023 it wanted to hire 20% more Black employees, which he said was “an overt racial quota system.”

The Minneapolis-based retailer said in January that it will dial backits ...