Carrie Prejean Boller, a member of the federal Religious Liberty Commission, has been dismissed following a hearing this week marked by intense discussions on the definition of antisemitism. Boller had publicly defended prominent commentator Candace Owens, who is known for frequently sharing antisemitic conspiracy theories.
During the hearing, Prejean Boller, a former model turned conservative activist, claimed that Owens had never made antisemitic remarks. She also cited a biblical passage attributing the death of Jesus to Jews and contested the idea that some individuals disguise antisemitism as criticism of Israel.
“No member of the commission has the right to hijack a hearing for their own personal and political agenda on any issue,” stated Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, the commission’s chair, in a Wednesday statement. “This is clearly, without question, what happened Monday in our hearing on antisemitism in America. This was my decision.”
Prejean Boller disputed Patrick’s authority to remove her, asserting that only President Donald Trump held that power. In a post on the social media platform X, she further alleged that Patrick’s actions “reflect a Zionist political agenda.”
The hearing took place as the commission, which Trump established last year, is currently facing a new federal lawsuit this week from progressive religious organizations. The suit claims the panel fails to represent diverse viewpoints and religions, consisting almost entirely of conservative Christian members.
Prejean Boller’s removal occurred amidst a broader, increasingly contentious debate within conservative circles regarding whether commentators espousing antisemitic views should be afforded a platform.
Her dismissal followed a hearing held Monday in Washington, specifically focused on antisemitism. The session featured multiple witnesses, including firsthand accounts from students and others who stated that universities had failed to protect Jewish students amidst pro-Palestinian protests during the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.
Prejean Boller engaged in sharp exchanges with witnesses during the hearing. Seth Dillon, CEO of the conservative satirical website The Babylon Bee, which regularly lampoons progressives, was present to testify that conservatives must actively push back against a growing antisemitic movement on the right.
Prejean Boller challenged him, questioning whether critics of Israel should inherently be deemed antisemitic. Dillon clarified that while not always, context was critical, noting that there are “people who try to conceal their antisemitism under the guise of merely criticizing Israel.”
Prejean Boller also raised questions about whether social media platforms should be pressured to ban quotations of a Bible verse that attributes the death of Jesus to Jews. Additionally, she disputed Dillon’s criticisms of Owens, claiming she had never heard her utter anything antisemitic.
“You should look up more of her statements,” Dillon responded, citing instances such as Owens referring to her critics as “of the synagogue of Satan.”
Prejean Boller, the 2009 Miss California, faced criticism during the Miss USA contest that same year for stating her belief that marriage should be exclusively between a man and a woman. In subsequent years, she became politically active, supporting Trump’s presidential bids and vocalizing opposition to measures such as COVID-19 restrictions.
The hearing was the latest in a series by the commission, which has previously featured testimony accusing former President Joe Biden’s administration of various forms of religious freedom repression. The commission is slated to deliver a report to Trump this spring.
Also this week, several faith groups filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in New York, challenging the composition of the commission.
The lawsuit was initiated by the progressive Interfaith Alliance, along with Muslim, Hindu, and Sikh organizations.
It argued that the 1972 Federal Advisory Committee Act stipulates that any advisory committees must maintain a fair balance among competing viewpoints.
The lawsuit asserts that the commissioners, “consisting of almost exclusively Christians with one Orthodox Jewish Rabbi, represent the narrow perspective that America was founded as a ‘Judeo-Christian’ nation and must be guided by Biblical principles.”
It further claimed this composition excludes individuals of other faiths and no religious affiliation, as well as those within the Judeo-Christian tradition who “are committed to religious freedom and pluralism, and reject Christian nationalism.”