In a strategic decision that outraged liberals, President Trump shook up the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum board by firing Kamala Harris’ husband, Doug Emhoff, and over 50 former President Joe Biden-appointed officials.
The decisive move comes as part of Trump’s broader effort to restore balance to federal institutions after years of progressive influence.
Emhoff, who used his Jewish identity to promote Democrat policies as Second Gentleman, claimed the dismissals “politicized” Holocaust remembrance.
The personnel changes affected more than 50 officials Biden had appointed to the prestigious board overseeing the Holocaust Museum.
Mary Sprowls from the White House Presidential Personnel Office emailed the news, informing recipients that their positions were “terminated, effective immediately.”
Several prominent Biden administration officials, including Ron Klain, Tom Perez, Susan Rice, and Anthony Bernal, were fired alongside Emhoff.
In this case, the council appointments typically last five years, but presidents have the authority to replace appointees from previous administrations.
This standard practice allows each administration to ensure oversight boards align with their vision and priorities for federal institutions.
The firings came shortly after Holocaust Remembrance Day, leading some Biden loyalists to criticize the timing.
However, many conservatives view the move as part of the necessary process of replacing partisan appointees across government.
Meanwhile, President Trump and the museum’s representatives did not immediately comment on the terminations, suggesting this was simply routine government business.
Emhoff, who is Jewish, had only been appointed to the council by Biden in January, serving less than four months before his removal.
During the Biden-Harris administration, Emhoff frequently used his position as Second Gentleman to speak about antisemitism through a distinctly partisan lens.
Likewise, critics noted that while Emhoff claimed to oppose the politicization of Holocaust remembrance, he regularly appeared at Democrat fundraisers and campaign events discussing these issues.
Emhoff reacted to his dismissal, stating:
“Today, I was informed of my removal from the United States Holocaust Memorial Council. 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.”
Tom Perez, another fired council member and former Democrat National Committee chair, expressed disappointment at being removed.
The museum has historically maintained a nonpartisan reputation, though its leadership appointments have always been made through political channels.
Trump supporters pointed out that Biden made similar personnel changes when he took office, replacing Trump appointees across numerous federal boards and commissions.
Furthermore, Trump’s overhaul of the Holocaust Memorial Council reflects his broader commitment to removing partisan influences from government institutions.
Throughout his campaign, Trump pledged to root out what many conservatives view as entrenched progressive bias in federal agencies and boards.
The Holocaust Museum, while dedicated to preserving the memory of a historical tragedy, still requires leadership that reflects the administration’s priorities and vision for how history should be presented to the American public.
The situation remains fluid, with Trump expected to announce new appointees to the council in the coming weeks.
These appointees will likely bring fresh perspectives while maintaining the council’s core mission of Holocaust education and remembrance.
For many Trump supporters, these personnel changes represent a necessary step toward ensuring federal institutions serve all Americans rather than advancing partisan agendas under the guise of historical preservation.
