Douglas Emhoff is reportedly among several appointees of former President Joe Biden removed from the institution’s board
Douglas Emhoff, the husband of former US Vice President Kamala Harris, has criticized the administration of President Donald Trump for what he describes as “politicizing” the Holocaust.
In a post on X on Tuesday, Emhoff said he had been informed of his removal from the US Holocaust Memorial Council, describing the move as a political decision that turned “one of the worst atrocities in history into a wedge issue.”
According to the New York Times, Emhoff is among several appointees of former US President Joe Biden dismissed from the council. Their appointments, announced in January, typically carry five-year terms. The council was created by Congress in 1980 to oversee the museum which opened in 1993 to commemorate the Holocaust.
The White House Presidential Personnel Office reportedly emailed council members on Tuesday on behalf of President Trump, stating their positions were “terminated, effective immediately.” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the president “looks forward” to appointing members who will honor Holocaust victims and be “steadfast supporters of the State of Israel.”
In a similar move, Trump announced in February that he would end the terms of multiple members of the Kennedy Center board and make himself chair of a new board.
The Holocaust Museum did not mention the firings in its Tuesday statement, saying it looks forward to advancing its mission “in partnership with the Trump administration.”
The development comes as Harris, who lost the race for president in November, is set to deliver a ‘call to action’ speech on Wednesday at the Emerge 20th anniversary gala in San Francisco, which will urge activists to speak out against Trump, according to CNN.
Democrats are reportedly watching Harris for signs she may run again in 2028. Trump has ruled out seeking a third term, despite previously hinting at the possibility on multiple occasions. In an interview with The Atlantic published on Monday marking his first 100 days in office, he said bypassing the constitutional limit in 2028 would be a “hard thing to do.”
