Carrie Prejean Boller Ousted From Religious Liberty Commission After Contentious Antisemitism Hearing
Carrie Prejean Boller was removed from the federal Religious Liberty Commission on Wednesday (ET) following a tense hearing that sparked debate over what constitutes antisemitism and whether criticism of Israel can mask antisemitic intent. The ouster came after exchanges in which Prejean Boller questioned whether critics of Israel should be labeled antisemitic, defended a high-profile commentator accused of spreading anti-Jewish conspiracy theories, and cited a Bible verse that attributes the death of Jesus to Jews.
Heated exchanges over antisemitism, Zionism and faith
The Feb. 9 hearing (ET) focused on antisemitism in the United States and featured testimony from students and others who said campuses failed to protect Jewish students during pro-Palestinian demonstrations. Multiple witnesses described firsthand incidents and urged stronger responses from university leaders.
Prejean Boller pushed back on witnesses who argued that anti-Zionism can be antisemitic, saying her Catholic faith does not lead her to embrace Zionism. Other panelists, including Jewish scholars and community leaders, countered that denying Jews the same right to a state as other peoples can amount to a double standard that crosses into antisemitism. A fellow panelist read from Catholic teaching to stress the Church’s rejection of antisemitism and to clarify that Catholic doctrine does not categorically oppose Jewish self-determination.
At one point Prejean Boller disputed whether social media platforms should be asked to remove quotations of a biblical passage that historically has been used to justify hostility toward Jews. She also challenged a witness who argued that some critics hide antisemitic intent behind criticisms of Israel. That witness said context matters and warned that there are individuals who cloak antisemitic beliefs in policy critiques.
The session included sharp back-and-forths with witnesses who testified that conservative commentators and online rhetoric have amplified antisemitic tropes. Prejean Boller defended a prominent commentator who has been accused by some critics of spreading conspiratorial and antisemitic messaging, insisting she had never heard antisemitic statements from that commentator.
Removal, reactions and broader questions about the commission
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who chairs the commission, said no member may hijack a hearing for personal or political aims and cited that rationale in announcing the removal on Wednesday (ET). Prejean Boller challenged his authority to remove her, asserting that only the president has the power to dismiss commission members. She posted on social media that the action reflected what she called a "Zionist political agenda. " The post drew swift criticism from those who said the hearing had raised legitimate concerns about rising antisemitism.
The commission, established last year, has held several hearings examining perceived threats to religious freedom. Its work is unfolding amid a lawsuit filed this week by several religious groups that contend the panel lacks religious and ideological diversity, noting it is dominated by conservative Christian voices. The commission is preparing a report to the president later this spring.
Prejean Boller, who first rose to public attention as Miss California in 2009 and later became a conservative activist, has a history of vocal stances on social issues. Her removal from the commission adds a new chapter to a debate that has grown more fraught as discussions of antisemitism, anti‑Zionism and the boundaries of protected speech have become central to national political and religious discourse.
Commission leaders said the panel will continue its work on religious liberty and plans to move forward with additional hearings and the pending report. The episode underscores the high-stakes tensions playing out at the intersection of religion, politics and perceptions of bias in the United States.
