Washington – A member of President Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission was removed this week following a contentious hearing focused on the definition of antisemitism, highlighting a growing debate within conservative circles about the line between legitimate criticism of Israel and antisemitic rhetoric. Carrie Prejean Boller, a former Miss California and conservative activist, was ousted by Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who chairs the commission, after she defended commentator Candace Owens against allegations of antisemitism.
The removal of Prejean Boller, first reported by NBC News, comes as the commission faces scrutiny over its composition and mission. A lawsuit filed this week by a coalition of progressive religious groups alleges the panel is overwhelmingly Christian and fails to represent diverse viewpoints, violating federal guidelines for advisory committees. The lawsuit argues the commission’s perspective is rooted in the belief that America was founded as a “Judeo-Christian” nation, excluding other faiths and those who reject Christian nationalism.
During Monday’s hearing, Prejean Boller staunchly defended Owens, who has been criticized for sharing conspiracy theories and making statements perceived as antisemitic. Prejean Boller reportedly denied that Owens had ever expressed antisemitic views, and even cited a Bible verse that attributes the death of Jesus to Jewish people, according to reporting from NBC News. She also challenged the notion that criticism of Israel could be considered antisemitic, sparking a debate with Seth Dillon, CEO of the conservative satirical site The Babylon Bee.
Dillon testified that while criticizing Israel is not inherently antisemitic, context matters and some individuals may use criticism of Israel as a guise for antisemitism. “There are people who try to conceal their antisemitism under the guise of merely criticizing Israel,” Dillon said, as reported by NBC News. Prejean Boller disputed this, questioning whether social media platforms should ban quotations of the Bible verse regarding Jesus’ death.
Lt. Gov. Patrick, in a statement released Wednesday, said Prejean Boller had “hijacked” the hearing to promote her personal agenda. “No member of the Commission has the right to hijack a hearing for their own personal and political agenda on any issue,” Patrick said. “This is clearly, without question, what happened Monday in our hearing on antisemitism in America. This was my decision.”
Prejean Boller, who gained prominence as Miss California in 2009, challenged Patrick’s authority to remove her, asserting that only President Trump had the power to do so. In a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, she claimed Patrick’s actions were motivated by a “Zionist political agenda.”
The Broader Context: A Commission Under Fire
The Religious Liberty Commission, established by Trump last year, has been a source of controversy since its inception. The commission’s stated purpose is to advise the president on religious freedom issues, but critics argue it has been used to advance a narrow conservative Christian agenda. The recent lawsuit filed by the Interfaith Alliance and other religious organizations underscores these concerns, alleging the commission lacks diversity and represents a biased perspective. The suit claims the commission’s composition – consisting of almost exclusively Christians with one Orthodox Jewish Rabbi – reflects a belief that America was founded as a “Judeo-Christian” nation, excluding other faiths and those who reject Christian nationalism.
Prejean Boller’s Background and Previous Controversies
Prejean Boller’s political activism dates back to her time as Miss California, when she faced criticism for her views on same-sex marriage. According to the Independent, she became a vocal supporter of Donald Trump’s presidential campaigns and has been a frequent critic of policies she views as infringing on religious freedom. Her removal from the commission adds to a growing list of controversies surrounding the panel and its members.
The Debate Over Antisemitism on the Right
The incident involving Prejean Boller and Owens highlights a broader and increasingly contentious debate within conservative circles regarding antisemitism. The removal comes amid a wider, increasingly contentious debate over whether the right should give a platform to commentators espousing antisemitic views. The hearing itself followed first-hand accounts of students and others who said universities failed to protect Jewish students amid pro-Palestinian protests during the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.
The commission is currently preparing a report for President Trump this spring, outlining its findings and recommendations on religious liberty issues. The outcome of the lawsuit challenging the commission’s composition could significantly impact its future perform and influence. The next steps in the legal challenge are currently unknown, but the court is expected to schedule a hearing in the coming weeks.
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