Kamala’s Husband Doug Emhoff Fired From Job At Holocaust Memorial Council

Source: YouTube

The Trump administration has removed Doug Emhoff from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council, cutting short his appointment less than four months after President Joe Biden named him to the post. Emhoff, the husband of former Vice President Kamala Harris, was one of several Biden-era appointees dismissed by President Donald Trump during his first 100 days back in office.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the president is appointing new members who support the memory of Holocaust victims and also back the State of Israel. Emhoff, who is Jewish, previously served as the Biden administration’s lead on antisemitism policy. He responded to the removal on social media, calling it a political stunt that disrespects the history of the Holocaust.

“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.”

Political Appointees Ousted Across Key Cultural Boards

Emhoff is not the only figure removed from high-profile cultural and educational institutions. The Trump administration has also dismissed members from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and other boards. According to multiple sources, the list of those fired from the Holocaust Memorial Council includes former National Security Advisor Jon Finer, ex-UN Ambassador Susan Rice, and former Labor Secretary Tom Perez.

Presidential appointments to the Council are typically five-year terms. There is no legal obligation to retain them across administrations. Still, the abrupt nature of the firings, particularly those tied to Holocaust education, has sparked criticism from Jewish leaders and education advocates. Many see it as part of Trump’s broader campaign to reassert ideological control over government-affiliated cultural institutions.

Emhoff, Harris, and the Political Fallout

Doug Emhoff’s dismissal comes at a politically charged moment. His wife, Kamala Harris, recently resumed public speaking engagements after losing the 2024 presidential election to Trump. She is expected to deliver a speech in San Francisco addressing the administration’s recent actions, including Emhoff’s removal.

While Emhoff has been praised for his work raising awareness about antisemitism, he has also drawn criticism for misstatements about Jewish tradition and for backing Biden-era Middle East policies that some viewed as insufficiently pro-Israel. Trump supporters argue that the Council should reflect the current administration’s foreign policy stance, especially in a time of rising global antisemitism.

Trump, for his part, has focused heavily on combating antisemitism on U.S. college campuses during his second term. His Department of Homeland Security has taken steps to arrest pro-Hamas agitators and proposed cutting funds to institutions that fail to address antisemitic activity. Supporters of the administration view Emhoff’s removal as consistent with those broader policy goals.

Council Statement Reflects Institutional Continuity

Despite the leadership changes, the Holocaust Memorial Museum issued a statement affirming its mission. “At this time of high antisemitism and Holocaust distortion and denial, the Museum is gratified that our visitation is robust and demand for Holocaust education is increasing. We look forward to continuing to advance our vitally important mission as we work with the Trump Administration.”

The White House has not commented on whether any of the dismissed appointees will be reappointed elsewhere. Emhoff, however, made clear he plans to stay active in public life.

“No divisive political decision will ever shake my commitment to Holocaust remembrance and education or to fighting hate in all its forms,” he wrote. “Silence is never an option.”

Was removing Doug Emhoff from the Holocaust Council the right decision?

Survey:

 Loading ...