Latest news with #UnitedStatesHolocaustMemorialCouncil
USA Today
08-05-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
'Real Housewives' alum Siggy Flicker appointed to Holocaust museum board by Donald Trump
'Real Housewives' alum Siggy Flicker appointed to Holocaust museum board by Donald Trump Show Caption Hide Caption Trump praises Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin during Carney presser During a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, President Donald Trump appeared to mistake ice hockey player Alex Ovechkin as Canadian. Reality-television personality Siggy Flicker, whose stepson was arrested for his alleged involvement in the Jan. 6 Capitol riots, has been appointed by President Donald Trump to oversee the nation's Holocaust memorial. Flicker, who previously starred on Bravo's "The Real Housewives of New Jersey," was handpicked by President Trump alongside 11 other individuals to serve on the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum's board of trustees, the museum announced on May 5. "President Trump… Thank you for the privilege (and) honor to represent and NEVER FORGET," Flicker wrote in a May 5 Instagram post following the announcement. Recognized as the official U.S. memorial to the Holocaust, the Washington, D.C., museum aims to combat antisemitism through a series of exhibitions, leadership training programs, educational outreach and Holocaust commemorations, according to its official website. The United States Holocaust Memorial Council, which consists of 55 members appointed by the president, was established by Congress in 1980 to raise private funds for the museum, per the organization's website. In addition to the presidential appointees, five members from both the Senate and House of Representatives as well as three ex-officio members from the Departments of Education, Interior, and State serve. According to the museum, council members appointed by the president serve for a five-year term, with 11 members' terms expiring each year. Trump shared his satisfaction with the new council members in a May 6 post on Truth Social, writing, "They are all strong supporters of Israel, and will ensure we, NEVER FORGET. Congratulations to all!" Flicker, 57, was born in Israel to Jewish parents. Her father, Mordecai Paldiel, escaped Nazi-occupied Belgium when he was 3 years old. The TV personality has been vocal in her support of Israel on social media. 'Real Housewives' comeback: 'Rhode Island' spinoff returning to Bravo Siggy Flicker's son arrested following Jan. 6 Capitol riots Flicker's stepson Tyler Campanella, whom she shares with husband Michael Campanella, was arrested in April 2024 on five misdemeanor charges in connection to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, according to NBC News and News12 Long Island. In a now-deleted social media post, Flicker shared photos that appeared to be taken from inside the Capitol along with the caption, "I love patriots so much. Stay safe Tyler. We love you," per NBC. Additionally, court documents stated Tyler's phone was traced to the Capitol's interior the day of the attack. 'Real Housewives' star Teddi Mellencamp has stage 4 melanoma. What's next? According to Law & Crime, Tyler pleaded not guilty to charges of trespassing, disorderly conduct and demonstrating in a Capitol building. As of July 2024, the man remained released on his personal recognizance. Flicker is an ardent supporter of President Trump. In December 2024, the "Real Housewives" alum shared a photo of herself and Trump posing at an event on Instagram. "Happy new year from the greatest president in the history of America," she wrote.
Euronews
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Trump ousts Biden-era Holocaust Council members including Doug Emhoff
ADVERTISEMENT President Donald Trump has dismissed many of former President Joe Biden's nominees to the United States Holocaust Memorial Council - among them Doug Emhoff, the Jewish husband of former Vice President Kamala Harris and a leading figure in the Biden administration's campaign against antisemitism . Emhoff, who played a key role in shaping the White House's approach to combatting hate, condemned the decision: 'Let me be clear: Holocaust remembrance and education should never be politicised.' He added, 'To turn one of the worst atrocities in history into a wedge issue is dangerous - and it dishonours the memory of six million Jews murdered by Nazis that this museum was created to preserve.' Related One month in, how has Trump impacted culture around the world? Funeral etiquette: Was Trump's blue suit a diplomatic and fashion blunder at pope's funeral? Former Vice President Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff listen as President Donald Trump speaks after being sworn in at the 60th Presidential Inauguration. Credit: AP Photo U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum's 14th Street entrance. Credit: Timothy Hursley/United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Also removed were Ron Klain, Biden's former chief of staff, and Susan Rice, who spearheaded the first-ever U.S. National Strategy to Combat Antisemitism in 2023 during her tenure as domestic policy adviser. Anthony Bernal, a senior adviser to former First Lady Jill Biden, confirmed he, too, had been dismissed. Since taking office in January, Trump has moved to fire many Biden appointees across government - including ostensibly apolitical roles. Biden, too, while on a far smaller scale, dismissed some Trump carryover appointees after he entered the White House in 2021, including 18 appointees to U.S. military academy boards.
USA Today
30-04-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
Trump admin removes Doug Emhoff, other Biden picks from Holocaust Memorial Council
Trump admin removes Doug Emhoff, other Biden picks from Holocaust Memorial Council Show Caption Hide Caption World marks International Holocaust Remembrance Day On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, it's been 80 years since the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp by the Soviet army in 1945. Fox - 32 Chicago Doug Emhoff, husband of former Vice President Kamala Harris and the first Jewish spouse to a president or vice president, has been removed from the United States Holocaust Memorial Council along with other Biden appointees by the Trump administration. The council represents the board of trustees that oversees the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., the country's official memorial for the tragedy. Emhoff is one of multiple senior Biden officials who received notice that they were being dismissed just three months into what is usually a five-year appointment. 'Today, I was informed of my removal from the United States Holocaust Memorial Council,' Emhoff said in a statement on April 29. 'Holocaust remembrance and education should never be politicized. To turn one of the worst atrocities in history into a wedge issue is dangerous − and it dishonors the memory of six million Jews murdered by Nazis that this museum was created to preserve.' Biden pick dismissed just months into five-year appointment Described as a "nonpartisan federal, educational institution," the museum usually receives presidential appointees for a half-decade term. In January, a dozen Biden officials were announced as new members of the committee. Five of them, including Emhoff, received emails from Mary Sprowls of the White House Presidential Personnel Office on Tuesday, April 29, reported the New York Times. 'On behalf of President Donald J. Trump, I am writing to inform you that your position as a member of the United States Holocaust Memorial Council is terminated, effective immediately,' the email said, per the Times. 'Thank you for your service.' Terminated appointees included former chief of staff, Ron Klain; former labor secretary Tom Perez; top Obama and Biden domestic policy adviser Susan Rice; and Jill Biden's senior adviser, Anthony Bernal, reported the Times. Several non-White House appointees told the outlet they had not received termination letters. A number of the removed members are known for their work combating antisemitism, such as Rice's involvement in the May 2023 launch of the first-ever U.S. National Strategy to Combat Antisemitism. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement to USA TODAY that, '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 White House did not respond to follow-up questions asking for clarification as to why it chose to dismiss the members it did, or what being a "steadfast supporter of the State of Israel" entails. 'Never happened since the first Council was established in 1980' Critics have expressed concern that this decision is another on Trump's warpath of retribution aimed at dissenters or those perceived to be associated with them. The administration has removed or attempted to remove Biden-appointed and Democratic officials across government positions on a large scale since taking office in January. Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, said removing the appointees with no explanation "risks politicizing a vital institution" and that the museum and its council "must remain above politics." "At a time of rising antisemitism and in the face of expanding Holocaust denialism and distortion, we should be uniting to preserve historical truth," he said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. "While it's true that the White House has the privilege to appoint and dismiss members to such bodies, the latter prerogative should be used with caution and only in the most egregious situations." The group hopes the administration will reconsider or at least explain its position, he continued. Andy Hollinger, a museum spokesperson, previously told CNN in early 2021 that the Biden administration had not moved to remove any Trump appointees from the council amid other dismissals elsewhere, saying, "To my knowledge, this has never happened since the first Council was established in 1980." However, the museum's statement on April 29 did not mention the removals. 'At this time of high antisemitism and Holocaust distortion and denial, the museum is gratified that our visitation is robust and demand for Holocaust education is increasing,' it said. 'We look forward to continuing to advance our vitally important mission as we work with the Trump administration.'
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump ousts Biden-era Holocaust Council members including Doug Emhoff
President Donald Trump has dismissed many of former President Joe Biden's nominees to the United States Holocaust Memorial Council - among them Doug Emhoff, the Jewish husband of former Vice President Kamala Harris and a leading figure in the Biden administration's campaign against antisemitism. Emhoff, who played a key role in shaping the White House's approach to combatting hate, condemned the decision: 'Let me be clear: Holocaust remembrance and education should never be politicised.' He added, 'To turn one of the worst atrocities in history into a wedge issue is dangerous - and it dishonours the memory of six million Jews murdered by Nazis that this museum was created to preserve.' Related One month in, how has Trump impacted culture around the world? Funeral etiquette: Was Trump's blue suit a diplomatic and fashion blunder at pope's funeral? Also removed were Ron Klain, Biden's former chief of staff, and Susan Rice, who spearheaded the first-ever U.S. National Strategy to Combat Antisemitism in 2023 during her tenure as domestic policy adviser. Anthony Bernal, a senior adviser to former First Lady Jill Biden, confirmed he, too, had been dismissed. Since taking office in January, Trump has moved to fire many Biden appointees across government - including ostensibly apolitical roles. Biden, too, while on a far smaller scale, dismissed some Trump carryover appointees after he entered the White House in 2021, including 18 appointees to U.S. military academy boards.
Los Angeles Times
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Trump dismisses Biden nominees to U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council, including Doug Emhoff
WASHINGTON — President Trump has dismissed many of former President Biden's nominees to the United States Holocaust Memorial Council, including Doug Emhoff, the husband of former Vice President Kamala Harris. Emhoff, who is Jewish and who led the Biden administration's efforts to combat antisemitism, criticized Trump's action, saying, 'Let me be clear: Holocaust remembrance and education should never be politicized.' He added, 'To turn one of the worst atrocities in history into a wedge issue is dangerous — and it dishonors the memory of 6 million Jews murdered by Nazis that this museum was created to preserve.' Others dismissed alongside Emhoff include former Biden chief of staff Ron Klain and former domestic policy adviser Susan Rice, who was the principal author of and the impetus behind the first-ever comprehensive National Strategy to Combat Antisemitism in 2023. Anthony Bernal, a senior advisor to former First Lady Jill Biden, confirmed he was also dismissed. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Since taking office in January, Trump has moved to fire many Biden appointees across government — including ostensibly apolitical roles. Biden, too, dismissed some Trump carryover appointees after he entered the White House in 2021, most notably 18 appointees named to U.S. military academy boards, but at a far smaller scale. Miller and Superville write for the Associated Press.
