Kamala is trying to sink into the background. But she isn’t getting away that easily.
Now Donald Trump made Kamala’s life a living nightmare with this latest order.
Trump Reshapes Holocaust Memorial Council Leadership
In a bold move, President Donald Trump has removed former second gentleman Doug Emhoff and several other Biden-era appointees from the United States Holocaust Memorial Council, signaling a shift in the oversight of the institution dedicated to preserving the memory of the Holocaust. The decision has sparked controversy, with critics arguing it politicizes a historically nonpartisan mission, while supporters see it as a necessary realignment to prioritize steadfast allies of Israel and the council’s core objectives.
Among those dismissed were high-profile figures tied to the Biden and Obama administrations, including Emhoff, the husband of former Vice President Kamala Harris, who is Jewish and visited Auschwitz on International Holocaust Remembrance Day in 2023.
The firings also targeted Ron Klain, Biden’s former chief of staff; Tom Perez, Obama’s labor secretary and Biden’s senior adviser; Susan Rice, Biden’s domestic policy adviser; and Anthony Bernal, a senior aide to former first lady Jill Biden. Each received an email stating they were “terminated, effective immediately,” while expressing gratitude for their service.
Emhoff and Perez Decry Politicization of Holocaust Memory
Doug Emhoff, visibly shaken by the decision, took to X to voice his concerns. “Today, I was informed of my removal from the United States Holocaust Memorial Council,” he said.
“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 m*rdered by N*zis that this museum was created to preserve.” His statement highlights the emotional weight of the firings, given his personal connection to the Jewish community and Holocaust remembrance.
Tom Perez echoed Emhoff’s sentiments, lamenting the erosion of the council’s nonpartisan tradition. “This is a sad day because our mission at the council has always been nonpartisan,” Perez told the New York Times in a phone interview.
For Perez, who served under two Democratic administrations, the abrupt dismissals represent a troubling departure from the council’s unifying goal of educating the public about the Holocaust’s horrors and combating antisemitism.
Trump Signals New Direction Amid Rising Antisemitism
The Trump administration defended the firings as part of a vision for the council. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told the New York Times, “President Trump looks forward to appointing new individuals who will not only continue to honor the memory of those who perished in the Holocaust, but who are also steadfast supporters of the State of Israel.”
The statement reflects Trump’s intent to install appointees aligned with his foreign policy priorities, particularly in supporting Israel at a time of heightened global tensions.
The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, located in Washington, D.C., issued a carefully worded statement that avoided addressing the firings directly.
“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 statement read. “We look forward to continuing to advance our vitally important mission as we work with the Trump administration.” The museum’s response suggests a commitment to continuity despite the leadership upheaval.
Democrats’ Legacy Under Fire in Trump’s Second Term
The dismissals come as part of Trump’s broader effort to dismantle the influence of Democratic appointees across federal institutions, with the Holocaust Memorial Council serving as a high-profile battleground.
Critics argue that removing experienced figures like Emhoff, Klain, and Rice—known for their ties to progressive policies—risks undermining the council’s credibility and its ability to navigate the complex landscape of Holocaust education amid rising antisemitism. Democrats have long championed their appointees as defenders of inclusive, nonpartisan remembrance, making these firings a pointed rebuke of their legacy.
For Trump’s base, however, the move is a welcome step toward rooting out what they see as entrenched liberal bias in institutions meant to serve all Americans. As the president prepares to appoint new council members, the focus will likely shift to how these changes affect the museum’s mission and its role in countering Holocaust denial.
