President Trump’s removal of Biden appointees from the Holocaust Memorial Council has sparked debate about the politicization of Holocaust remembrance, with Jewish second gentleman Doug Emhoff among those dismissed.
Quick Takes
- President Trump has dismissed several Biden appointees from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council, breaking with tradition
- Doug Emhoff, Susan Rice, Ron Klain, and other key Biden administration figures were among those removed
- Traditionally, council appointees serve their full five-year terms regardless of administration changes
- Emhoff has criticized the move, stating “Holocaust remembrance and education should never be politicized”
- This follows a pattern of Trump removing Biden appointees from various government positions
Presidential Authority and Holocaust Council Changes
President Donald Trump has exercised his executive authority to remove several Biden administration appointees from the United States Holocaust Memorial Council. Among those dismissed are Doug Emhoff, husband of former Vice President Kamala Harris, former Biden chief of staff Ron Klain, former domestic policy adviser Susan Rice, and Jill Biden’s senior adviser Anthony Bernal. The 55-member council serves as the governing body for the Holocaust Museum, with members typically appointed to five-year terms.
The removals mark a significant departure from historical precedent. Traditionally, appointees to the Holocaust Memorial Council continue serving until their terms expire, even after a change in administration. This practice has helped maintain continuity in the council’s important work of Holocaust education and remembrance. The council was established in 1980 and has functioned as the museum’s governing body since the museum opened to the public in 1993.
Breaking News: The Trump administration fired Joe Biden appointees, including Kamala Harris’s husband, Doug Emhoff, from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum board. https://t.co/taMiRiejij
— The New York Times (@nytimes) April 29, 2025
Emhoff’s Role and Response
Doug Emhoff, who is Jewish, has played a prominent role in the Biden administration’s efforts to combat antisemitism. His appointment to the Holocaust Memorial Council aligned with his ongoing work addressing rising antisemitism across the country. Following his dismissal, Emhoff issued a statement expressing concern about the politicization of Holocaust remembrance, emphasizing the sacred nature of preserving this historical memory.
“Let me be clear: Holocaust remembrance and education should never be politicized. 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,” Doug Emhoff said.
Despite his removal from the council, Emhoff has affirmed his commitment to continuing work on Holocaust remembrance and fighting antisemitism. His dismissal comes at a time when antisemitism has been rising across the United States, making the Holocaust Museum’s educational mission particularly relevant. Rice was notably instrumental in creating the first-ever comprehensive National Strategy to Combat Antisemitism in 2023.
Pattern of Administrative Changes
This action follows a broader pattern since President Trump took office. The administration has removed Biden appointees across various government entities, including from the Kennedy Center board and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. These removals have extended beyond traditional political appointments to positions that have historically been considered apolitical. Some of these dismissals have already faced legal challenges.
While the White House has not provided immediate comment on the Holocaust Council dismissals, observers note that while Biden also replaced some Trump appointees after taking office in 2021, the current administration’s approach appears more extensive. The Holocaust Memorial Council dismissals represent a particularly sensitive case given the council’s solemn mission of preserving the memory of the Holocaust and educating future generations about its horrors.
The Holocaust Museum itself stands as a living memorial to the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, as well as millions of other victims of Nazi persecution. The museum’s mission transcends political divisions, serving as a reminder of the consequences of unchecked hatred and the importance of vigilance against antisemitism and other forms of bigotry in contemporary society.
Sources:
- Doug Emhoff among those fired from Holocaust Museum board by Trump – POLITICO
- Trump dismisses Biden nominees to US Holocaust Memorial Council, including Doug Emhoff
- Donald Trump Removes Doug Emhoff And Other Joe Biden Appointees From U.S. Holocaust Museum’s Board
