The Trump administration’s Religious Liberty Commission has dismissed one of its members following what officials described as an attempt to derail a hearing on antisemitism in America.
Carrie Prejean Boller, a former Miss California winner, was removed from the commission on Monday after a hearing at the Museum of the Bible in Washington. Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, who leads the commission, announced the decision Wednesday, stating unequivocally that the removal was his call.
“No member of the Commission has the right to hijack a hearing for their own personal and political agenda on any issue,” Patrick wrote in a statement. “This is clearly, without question, what happened Monday in our hearing on antisemitism in America.”
The commission, established by President Trump in May, carries the responsibility of monitoring and reporting on religious liberty issues throughout the nation. Patrick emphasized the significance of this mission, calling it a fight for “the Word of God and religious freedom” upon which the nation was founded.
During Monday’s hearing, Boller reportedly wore a Palestinian flag pin and engaged in heated exchanges with other attendees. She defended her position by stating she is Catholic and that Catholics do not “embrace Zionism.”
This characterization drew sharp rebuke from religious leaders familiar with Catholic teaching. Shawn Carney, President and CEO of 40 Days for Life, rejected Boller’s claims as fundamentally misrepresenting Catholic doctrine.
“For centuries, Catholics have understood that Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the Davidic kingdom and that our faith comes from the Jews,” Carney explained. “Catholic teaching holds that the Church is the fulfillment of the promises of the Old Covenant. To suddenly claim that Catholics are against Jews is absurd.”
Carney characterized such interpretations as “a recent fad and an online invention” rather than authentic Catholic teaching, calling it “a modern, internet-based error.”
A former Trump White House official, speaking about the removal, noted that presidential commissions exist to advance the administration’s agenda rather than serve as platforms for personal causes. The official expressed relief at the swift action taken.
Lieutenant Governor Patrick concluded his statement by expressing gratitude to President Trump for establishing the commission, describing the defense of religious freedom as potentially “one of his greatest legacies.”
The incident underscores the delicate balance presidential commissions must maintain between representing diverse viewpoints and adhering to their stated missions. The Religious Liberty Commission will continue its work examining threats to religious freedom across America, now with the understanding that members are expected to remain focused on the commission’s core objectives rather than pursuing individual agendas.
The administration has not yet announced whether Boller’s position on the commission will be filled or if the body will continue with its current membership.
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