President Donald Trump has dismissed Doug Emhoff, the husband of former political rival Kamala Harris, from the United States Holocaust Memorial Council. This action was part of a broader removal of several appointees from the Biden administration.
Emhoff, who is Jewish, was appointed to the council by President Joe Biden in January 2023. He confirmed his dismissal on Tuesday, April 29. During his tenure, he contributed significantly to the Biden administration’s initiatives aimed at combating 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 sent an email to council members early Tuesday, 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.”
Among the other Biden appointees removed from the board were former White House chief of staff Ron Klain, former domestic policy advisor Susan Rice, former Labor Secretary Tom Perez, and Anthony Bernal, who served as a senior adviser to former first lady Jill Biden.
Rice was instrumental in drafting the first-ever comprehensive National Strategy to Combat Antisemitism, which was published in 2023.
The White House indicated that President Trump intends to appoint new members who will “continue to honor the memory of those who perished in the Holocaust” and are “steadfast supporters of the State of Israel.” However, the administration did not specify reasons for the terminations.
The United States Holocaust Memorial Council, established by Congress in 1980, leads national efforts in Holocaust remembrance. The council opened the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., in 1993, serving as a key educational and memorial institution.
There is concern among some current and former board members, as well as Jewish community leaders, that these dismissals could impact the institution’s mission to remember the Holocaust and educate future generations.
Critics see the removals as part of a broader pattern. Since taking office in January 2025, President Trump has targeted several cultural institutions and their boards, such as the Kennedy Center and the Smithsonian Institution.
Trump has also sought to address perceived adversaries, focusing on law firms linked to his political foes. Emhoff’s employer, Willkie Farr & Gallagher, recently reached an agreement with the Trump administration to avoid White House sanctions, a move criticized by Emhoff.
The removal of appointees from previous administrations is not unprecedented. Biden also dismissed some Trump appointees upon taking office in 2021. However, observers note that Trump’s actions seem more extensive and include traditionally nonpartisan positions.
Emhoff has been a prominent advocate on issues concerning Israel and antisemitism. As second gentleman, he visited the Auschwitz concentration camp and led discussions on addressing hatred against Jewish people.
In his statement following the dismissal, Emhoff emphasized his continued dedication to Holocaust remembrance and education, as well as fighting hate and antisemitism, stating that his commitment remains strong regardless of his position on the council.
“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 in Washington, D.C., has traditionally maintained a nonpartisan approach to its mission of education and remembrance. It attracts about 1.7 million visitors annually and offers extensive resources for Holocaust education, research, and documentation.
While the Trump administration emphasizes its commitment to combating antisemitism, especially on college campuses, the decision to remove Emhoff and other Biden appointees has raised questions about the politicization of Holocaust remembrance efforts.
The White House has not yet announced replacements for the dismissed council members but has indicated that new appointments will be made soon.
