Trump Clears Biden Picks from U.S. Holocaust Museum Leadership

Man in suit pointing during crowded event

President Trump replaces Biden appointees on Holocaust Memorial Council, including Doug Emhoff, in a move that has sparked debate about the politicization of Holocaust remembrance.

Key Takeaways

President Trump has removed several Biden-era appointees from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council, including former Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff
Other dismissed appointees include former Biden chief of staff Ron Klain, former domestic policy adviser Susan Rice, and senior adviser to former first lady Jill Biden, Anthony Bernal
The dismissals break with the tradition of allowing appointees to serve their full five-year terms regardless of administration changes
Emhoff, who is Jewish and led efforts to combat antisemitism, has criticized the move as politicizing Holocaust remembrance
The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council, established in 1980, consists of 55 members who oversee the Holocaust Museum’s operations

Presidential Authority Exercised Over Memorial Council

President Donald Trump has dismissed several appointees made by the Biden administration to the United States Holocaust Memorial Council. Among those removed are Doug Emhoff, husband of former Vice President Kamala Harris, former Biden chief of staff Ron Klain, former domestic policy adviser Susan Rice, and Anthony Bernal, who served as a senior adviser to former first lady Jill Biden. The council, which consists of 55 members appointed to five-year terms, serves as the governing body for the Holocaust Museum since its establishment in 1980.

The White House has not immediately commented on the dismissals, which continue a pattern seen throughout the administration. Since taking office, President Trump has removed numerous Biden appointees across various government positions, including those in traditionally apolitical roles. While former President Biden also dismissed some Trump appointees after taking office in 2021, reports indicate that the current administration’s removals have been more extensive in scope.

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

Breaking With Tradition

The removals represent a departure from the conventional practice regarding the Holocaust Memorial Council. Traditionally, appointees from previous administrations remain in their positions until their designated five-year terms expire, regardless of which party controls the White House. This practice has historically been maintained to preserve institutional knowledge and ensure continuity in the council’s important work of Holocaust education and remembrance.

“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,” said Doug Emhoff.

The decision to replace council members ahead of their term completion has raised questions about potential shifts in the body’s focus and strategies. This move follows similar actions by the Trump administration regarding other cultural and educational institutions, including the removal of Biden appointees from the Kennedy Center board. Some of these removals from various commissions, such as the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, have already faced legal challenges.

Impact on Antisemitism Efforts

The dismissal of Emhoff has drawn particular attention given his role as the first Jewish spouse of a vice president and his visible leadership in efforts to combat antisemitism. During the Biden administration, Emhoff traveled to Poland and Germany to commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day and visited former concentration camps to honor victims and survivors. He was widely viewed as a significant voice in promoting Holocaust remembrance and advocating against hate.

Similarly, Susan Rice’s removal carries significance as she was instrumental in creating the first-ever comprehensive National Strategy to Combat Antisemitism in 2023. Despite his dismissal from the council, Emhoff has indicated that he remains committed to Holocaust remembrance and continuing his work against antisemitism, emphasizing that such efforts should transcend partisan politics.

The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum continues its mission of documenting, studying, and interpreting Holocaust history. The museum serves as America’s national memorial to the victims of the Holocaust and provides educational programs about the dangers of unchecked hatred and the need for preventing genocide. While leadership changes occur with administrations, the museum’s fundamental purpose of preserving this critical history remains unchanged.