President Donald Trump has removed Doug Emhoff, husband of former Vice President Kamala Harris, from the United States Holocaust Memorial Council, along with other appointees from the Biden administration. Emhoff, who is Jewish, was appointed by President Joe Biden in January 2023.
Emhoff confirmed his removal on Tuesday, April 29. During his tenure, he was actively involved in the Biden administration’s efforts to combat antisemitism. “Holocaust remembrance and education should never be politicized,” Emhoff stated. “To turn one of the worst atrocities in history into a wedge issue is dangerous — and it dishonors the memory of six million Jews murdered by Nazis that this museum was created to preserve.”
The White House Presidential Personnel Office emailed council members, stating that their positions were terminated immediately. Other appointees removed include former White House chief of staff Ron Klain, former domestic policy advisor Susan Rice, former Labor Secretary Tom Perez, and Anthony Bernal, a senior adviser to former first lady Jill Biden.
Susan Rice was a key figure in drafting the National Strategy to Combat Antisemitism, released in 2023. The White House indicated that Trump plans to appoint new members who will continue to honor Holocaust victims and support Israel, but did not specify reasons for the terminations.
The United States Holocaust Memorial Council, established by Congress in 1980, leads national Holocaust commemoration efforts. It launched the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., in 1993, which serves as a major educational institution.
Some current and former board members and Jewish community leaders have raised concerns about the impact of these terminations on the institution’s mission. Critics see this as part of a broader pattern by Trump, who has targeted other cultural institutions and their boards since taking office in January 2025.
The removals are seen within the context of Trump settling scores with perceived adversaries, including law firms linked to his political opponents. Emhoff’s employer, Willkie Farr & Gallagher, recently agreed with the Trump administration to avoid sanctions, which Emhoff had criticized.
While dismissing previous appointees is not unprecedented, observers note that Trump’s approach is more comprehensive and includes traditionally nonpartisan roles. Emhoff, a key voice on issues related to Israel and antisemitism, visited Auschwitz and led discussions on combating Jewish hatred during his tenure as second gentleman.
Emhoff reiterated his commitment to Holocaust remembrance and fighting hate, stating that his connection to these causes was not reliant on his council position. “I will continue to speak out, to educate, and to fight hate in all its forms because silence is never an option,” he said.
The Holocaust Memorial Museum, maintaining a nonpartisan stance, receives approximately 1.7 million visitors annually and offers extensive educational, research, and documentation resources. The Trump administration’s decision has raised questions about the politicization of Holocaust remembrance efforts.
The White House has not yet announced replacements for the dismissed council members but indicated that new appointments will be forthcoming.
