Devon Westhill

Devon Westhill is an American attorney and government official who currently serves as the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in President Trump's second term. He was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in 2025, becoming the first Senate-confirmed leader of USDA's civil rights office in 16 years. Westhill previously led the civil rights office as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at USDA during the first Trump administration from 2020 to 2021. He has spoken publicly about being raised in poverty in the South and credits his mother's dedication and being born in America as the key factors that shaped his life trajectory.

Career Legal Practice Westhill began his legal career as a criminal trial lawyer in Florida, where his practice focused on defending clients accused of criminal offenses, representing students in university conduct violations, and handling civil asset forfeiture cases. He launched CEO's "After Affirmative Action Network" to ensure educational institutions were complying with the ruling.

U.S. Department of Labor Prior to his first appointment at USDA, Westhill served as a Trump Administration appointee at the United States Department of Labor as Deputy Director of the Office of Public Liaison where he managed outreach to legal and policy organizations, think tanks, and the administrative law scholar community.

First Tenure at USDA (2020–2021) In March 2020, President Donald Trump appointed Westhill to serve as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at USDA. He was sworn in by Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue on March 12, 2020. On April 29, 2025, Westhill testified before the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee for his nomination He was sworn in as Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights by Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins on October 15, 2025.

Public Commentary and Advocacy Westhill has been an active commentator on civil rights issues, with his writing appearing in publications including NBC News, Bloomberg Law, The Wall Street Journal, National Review, and Newsweek. He has testified before both houses of the U.S. Congress, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, and has served as an expert witness in federal court. He has praised corporations like John Deere, Harley Davidson, and Tractor Supply Company for reevaluating their DEI initiatives.

In his confirmation hearing, Westhill committed to building relationships with all USDA customers and employees and ensuring that anyone wanting to do business with USDA could do so "on equal footing."