Trump Reshapes Holocaust Museum Board, Removes Biden Appointees

Person handing a paper with "You're Fired!" text.

President Trump removes Biden appointees including Doug Emhoff from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council, sparking debate about tradition and the politicization of Holocaust remembrance.

Key Insights

President Trump has removed several Biden appointees from the 55-member U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council, breaking with the tradition of allowing appointees to serve their full five-year terms
Among those dismissed are Doug Emhoff (former Second Gentleman), Ron Klain (former Biden chief of staff), and Susan Rice (former domestic policy adviser who helped create the National Strategy to Combat Antisemitism)
Emhoff, who is Jewish and led antisemitism initiatives, criticized the move as inappropriately politicizing Holocaust remembrance
The dismissal follows a pattern of Trump removing Biden appointees from various government positions, including the Kennedy Center board and Corporation for Public Broadcasting

Trump’s Overhaul of Holocaust Museum Leadership

President Donald Trump has removed several appointees of the previous administration from the United States Holocaust Memorial Council, including Doug Emhoff, the husband of former Vice President Kamala Harris. This move affects prominent Biden administration figures who were serving on the 55-member council that oversees the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. The dismissals deviate from longstanding precedent where appointees typically remain until their five-year terms expire, regardless of which administration appointed them.

In addition to Emhoff, Trump’s directive removes former Biden chief of staff Ron Klain, former domestic policy adviser Susan Rice, and Anthony Bernal, who served as senior adviser to former first lady Jill Biden. The White House has not yet issued an official comment on the reasoning behind these changes. This restructuring occurs as part of a broader pattern of the administration removing Biden appointees from various government positions since taking office.

Breaking News: The Trump administration fired Joe Biden appointees, including Kamala Harris’s husband, Doug Emhoff, from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum board. https://t.co/taMiRiejij

— The New York Times (@nytimes) April 29, 2025

Emhoff’s Response and Concerns About Holocaust Remembrance

Emhoff, who is Jewish and took a leading role in the previous administration’s efforts to combat antisemitism, expressed disappointment at the decision. As the highest-ranking Jewish person in the Biden administration, he was known for his advocacy work against antisemitism and had become personally involved with Holocaust remembrance initiatives. His removal from the council has drawn particular attention given his visible role in promoting Holocaust education.

“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,” stated Doug Emhoff.

Despite his removal from the council, Emhoff has indicated he remains committed to Holocaust remembrance and fighting antisemitism. Susan Rice’s dismissal has also raised questions, as she played a key role in creating the first-ever comprehensive National Strategy to Combat Antisemitism in 2023, a significant initiative of the previous administration to address rising antisemitism in the United States.

The Broader Pattern of Administrative Changes

The Holocaust Memorial Council changes represent part of a larger trend since President Trump returned to office. His administration has dismissed Biden appointees across various government bodies, including the Kennedy Center board and members of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, with the latter removals reportedly leading to legal challenges. While the Biden administration also removed some Trump appointees after taking office in 2021, reports indicate the current administration’s approach has been more extensive.

The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council was established by Congress in 1980 and became the Holocaust Museum’s governing body when it opened in 1993. The institution serves as America’s primary memorial to the victims of the Holocaust and provides educational resources about this historical tragedy. The council’s restructuring has raised questions about potential impacts on the museum’s operations and its ongoing mission to preserve the memory of Holocaust victims and educate future generations.