3 days Ago By Ted Johnson
Donald Trump has acted once again to remove his predecessor Joe Biden’s appointees from various commissions, this time ousting former Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff and other Democrats from the board that oversees the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum .
Emhoff, who was enlisted to be a point person in the Biden administration’s fight against antisemitism, said in a statement that he was informed today that he was being removed from the United States Holocaust Memorial Council. “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.
” Related Stories Corporation For Public Broadcasting Sues Donald Trump Over Attempt To Remove Tom Rothman And Others From Board -- Update Amazon Says Tariff Pricing Plan Won't Happen After White House Attacked Proposal As A "Hostile And Political Act" -- Update There are 55 members of the council appointed by the president for five-year terms. Emhoff’s appointment was announced in January, along with other Biden administration figures including Anthony Bernal, a senior adviser to First Lady Jill Biden; Susan Rice, former director of the Domestic Policy Council; Tom Perez, senior adviser to the president for intergovernmental affairs; and former and former chief of staff Ron Klain. They also were dismissed, according to The New York Times.
Watch on Deadline A White House spokesman did not immediately return a request for comment, nor did a spokesperson for the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.
The council, which meets twice a year, was established by Congress in 1980 to raise money for the construction of a Holocaust Memorial Museum. It became the governing body of the museum when it opened in 1993. By tradition, the council has included appointees from previous administrations until terms expire.
But Trump has sought to remove Biden’s appointees anyway. In February, he ousted his predecessor’s appointees to the board of the Kennedy Center, a move that ensured that he would be elected as chairman. In his statement, Emhoff said, “No divisive political decision will ever shake my commitment to Holocaust remembrance and education or combatting hate and antisemitism.
I will continue to speak out, to educate, and to fight hate in all its forms — because silence is never an option.” Trump also has removed members of other commissions and boards. On Monday, three members of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting were informed they were being terminated.
The CPB and the members, including Sony’s Tom Rothman, filed suit today to challenge their ouster..
