President Donald Trump has dismissed 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 and was appointed by former President Joe Biden in January 2023, confirmed his removal on April 29. During his tenure, he was actively involved in efforts to combat antisemitism.
“Holocaust remembrance and education should never be politicized,” Emhoff said. “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 sent an email to council members stating: “On behalf of President Donald J. Trump, I am writing to inform you that your position as a member of the United States Holocaust Memorial Council is terminated, effective immediately.”
Other Biden-era appointees removed from the board include former White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain, former Domestic Policy Advisor Susan Rice, former Labor Secretary Tom Perez, and Anthony Bernal, who was an advisor to former First Lady Jill Biden.
Rice was a key contributor to the first comprehensive National Strategy to Combat Antisemitism, released in 2023.
The White House has stated that Trump plans to appoint new members who will “continue to honor the memory of those who perished in the Holocaust” and will be “steadfast supporters of the State of Israel.” No specific reasons for the terminations were provided.
Established by Congress in 1980, the United States Holocaust Memorial Council leads national efforts to commemorate the Holocaust. The council inaugurated the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., in 1993, which serves as an educational and memorial institution.
Concerns have been raised by current and former board members, as well as Jewish community leaders, that these dismissals may affect the institution’s mission of Holocaust remembrance and education.
Critics consider the removals part of a larger trend. Since January 2025, President Trump has targeted several cultural institutions and their boards, including the Kennedy Center, the Smithsonian Institution, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Trump has also addressed opposition from law firms tied to political adversaries. Emhoff’s employer, Willkie Farr & Gallagher, recently negotiated with the Trump administration to avoid sanctions, a deal that Emhoff criticized.
While the removal of appointees from previous administrations is not new – Biden also replaced some Trump appointees when he entered office in 2021 – observers note Trump’s actions seem more extensive and include traditionally nonpartisan roles.
Emhoff has been vocal on issues concerning Israel and antisemitism. As second gentleman, he visited Auschwitz and led discussions on combating antisemitism.
Following his dismissal, Emhoff reiterated his commitment to Holocaust remembrance and education. “I will continue to speak out, to educate, and to fight hate in all its forms because silence is never an option,” he stated.
The Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., known for its nonpartisan mission of education and remembrance, attracts approximately 1.7 million visitors annually and provides resources for Holocaust education, research, and documentation.
While the Trump administration asserts its dedication to combating antisemitism, particularly on college campuses, the removal of Emhoff and other Biden appointees has prompted questions about the politicization of Holocaust remembrance efforts.
The White House has yet to announce who will replace the dismissed council members but indicated new appointments will be made soon.
