Member of Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission ousted in dispute over antisemitism

Religious Liberty Commissioner Removed After Antisemitism Hearing Controversy

A member of the federal Religious Liberty Commission has been ousted following heated exchanges during a hearing on antisemitism this week. Carrie Prejean Boller, a model turned conservative activist, was removed after defending controversial commentator Candace Owens against accusations of antisemitism.

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who chairs the commission, announced the decision Wednesday, stating, “No member of the commission has the right to hijack a hearing for their own personal and political agenda on any issue. This is clearly, without question, what happened Monday in our hearing on antisemitism in America.”

During the hearing in Washington, Prejean Boller engaged in contentious exchanges with witnesses, particularly Seth Dillon, CEO of the conservative satirical site The Babylon Bee. Dillon testified that conservatives need to push back against growing antisemitism within right-wing circles. Prejean Boller challenged his assertions, questioning whether criticizing Israel should be considered antisemitic.

The confrontation escalated when Prejean Boller defended Owens, claiming she had never heard the commentator make antisemitic statements. Dillon countered by referencing Owens’ past remarks, including statements where she referred to her critics as being “of the synagogue of Satan.”

Prejean Boller also questioned whether social media platforms should restrict biblical quotations that attribute the death of Jesus to Jews, further inflaming the debate.

Following her removal, Prejean Boller disputed Patrick’s authority to dismiss her, claiming only President Donald Trump has such power. In a post on X, she characterized Patrick’s actions as reflecting “a Zionist political agenda.”

The Religious Liberty Commission, established by Trump last year, has come under increasing scrutiny. This week, progressive religious groups filed a federal lawsuit challenging the commission’s composition, arguing it fails to represent diverse religious views and perspectives.

The lawsuit, filed by the Interfaith Alliance along with Muslim, Hindu, and Sikh organizations, contends that the commission violates the 1972 Federal Advisory Committee Act, which requires advisory committees to be fairly balanced among competing viewpoints. According to the plaintiffs, the commission consists “almost exclusively of Christians with one Orthodox Jewish Rabbi” and represents a narrow perspective that America was founded as a ‘Judeo-Christian’ nation guided by Biblical principles.

The lawsuit argues this composition excludes people of other faiths, those with no religious affiliation, and those within the Judeo-Christian tradition who “are committed to religious freedom and pluralism, and reject Christian nationalism.”

Prejean Boller first gained public attention as Miss California in 2009, when she drew controversy for stating her belief that marriage should only be between a man and a woman. She later became politically active, supporting Trump’s presidential campaigns and speaking out against COVID-19 restrictions.

The commission has conducted several hearings featuring testimony that accused the Biden administration of suppressing religious freedom. It is scheduled to deliver a report to Trump this spring.

This incident highlights the growing tensions within conservative circles over antisemitism and the boundaries of political discourse, particularly as it relates to criticism of Israel and accusations of antisemitism. It also underscores broader questions about religious representation and diversity in government advisory bodies.