Doug Emhoff Removed from US Holocaust Memorial Museum Board Under Trump Administration

Doug Emhoff, the former second gentleman of the United States and husband of former Vice President Kamala Harris, has been removed from the board of the US Holocaust Memorial Museum by the administration of President Donald Trump.

The move comes as part of a broader reshuffling of federal advisory positions by the Trump administration.

Emhoff, who was appointed to the museum’s board—formally known as the US Holocaust Memorial Council—by then-President Joe Biden in January 2025, confirmed his dismissal in a public statement on Tuesday. He expressed disappointment with the decision, saying:

“Holocaust remembrance and education should never be politicized,” and warned against turning “one of the worst atrocities in history into a wedge issue.”

The White House, through press secretary Karoline Leavitt, confirmed the removal and stated:

“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 council, which oversees the museum located in Washington, DC, consists of 55 members appointed by the president, in addition to representatives from Congress and several federal departments. Emhoff’s removal is part of a wider trend in which President Trump has replaced Biden-era appointees in traditionally nonpartisan roles. Similar actions were taken in February when Trump removed members from the board of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

The US Holocaust Memorial Museum acknowledged the changes in a statement, noting that demand for Holocaust education is growing amid rising antisemitism.

“We look forward to continuing to advance our vitally important mission as we work with the Trump Administration,” the museum said.

Emhoff, who is Jewish and has publicly spoken about combating antisemitism, had been a vocal advocate for Holocaust education and remembrance.

With input from ABC News and Axios.