The Trump administration has purged most of the members from the United States Holocaust Memorial Council. Among those excised is Doug Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris. This decision extends beyond those recently appointed by President Joe Biden. Second, it should raise serious alarm bells about the politicization of Holocaust remembrance and education.
Doug Emhoff, who in large part architected the Biden administration’s push to combat antisemitism, took to social media after the announcement to voice his displeasure at the decision. He characterized the dismissal as a political maneuver that transforms “one of the worst atrocities in history into a wedge issue.” This ominous declaration pinpoints the intensifying threats to Holocaust education in today’s societal landscape.
Members usually serve a five-year term, and most of those fired had only been appointed in January 2021. Emhoff now joins the ranks of other distinguished Americans, including…who were all allegedly fired from their posts. This cast also features Ron Klain, former White House chief of staff; Susan Rice, former UN ambassador; Jon Finer, former deputy national security adviser; Tom Perez, former labor secretary; Alan Solomont, former ambassador to Spain and Andorra; and Mary Zients, spouse of Jeff Zients.
In response to the dismissal, Emhoff pledged to continue to educate and combat Holocaust injustice. He stated, “Let me be clear: Holocaust remembrance and education should never be politicized.” He further emphasized that he would continue to “speak out, to educate, and to fight hate in all its forms – because silence is never an option.”
This removal of these elected officials occurs amid a time of rising antisemitism and Holocaust denial. The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum has recently seen a dramatic increase in visitation. Yet through these adversities, they are experiencing an increasing demand for Holocaust education.
“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.” – The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
The museum then issued another statement saying it looked forward to working with the Trump administration on “advancing our mission.”
“We look forward to continuing to advance our vitally important mission as we work with the Trump Administration,” – The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum