The chairman of President Donald Trump’s Commission on Religious Liberty confirmed Wednesday that he removed a member of the commission following a tense public hearing on antisemitism, reports Baltimore Chronicle with a link to the AP News. Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who chairs the commission, said it was his decision to oust Carrie Prejean Boller, former Miss California USA, after heated exchanges among members during Monday’s hearing over what constitutes antisemitism in the United States.
During the session, Boller repeatedly defended conservative commentator Candace Owens, who has promoted conspiracy theories and made antisemitic remarks to her millions of online followers. Patrick stated on X that no commission member has the right to hijack a hearing for personal or political agendas, citing this as the reason for Boller’s removal.
Boller responded by questioning Patrick’s authority to remove her. She wrote on X that the commission’s name—President Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission—indicated that Patrick did not appoint her and therefore lacked the power to remove her. She claimed his actions overstepped his role and aligned with a “Zionist political framework” that derailed the hearing instead of defending religious liberty.
CNN reportedly contacted both the White House and the commission to confirm Boller’s removal. At the time of reporting, she remained listed as a member on the official White House website.
The hearing featured multiple testimonies, including first-hand accounts from students and others who said universities failed to protect Jewish students during pro-Palestinian protests amid the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. This sparked intense discussions about the boundaries of legitimate criticism of policies and the distinction from antisemitic behavior.
Among the witnesses was Seth Dillon, CEO of the conservative satire website The Babylon Bee, which frequently satirizes progressive figures. Dillon stressed that a growing antisemitic trend within conservative circles must be countered. Boller questioned whether critics of Israel should automatically be considered antisemitic. Dillon said no, but added that context matters, noting that some individuals attempt to disguise antisemitism as legitimate criticism of Israel.
Boller also challenged Dillon’s criticism of Owens. Dillon cited statements by Owens in which she referred to critics as members of the “synagogue of Satan,” examples Dillon said underscored problematic rhetoric.
Trump created the commission last year to examine the foundations of religious liberty in the U.S. and to identify current threats to domestic religious freedom. Meanwhile, the commission faces a new federal lawsuit from progressive religious groups, arguing that the panel fails to represent diverse views and religions and is composed almost entirely of conservative Christian members.
Earlier we wrote that Sydney Sweeney and Jason Clarke Star in Legendary’s Live-Action Gundam Film for Netflix
