White House Religious Liberty Commission Removes Catholic Carrie Prejean Boller for Questioning Definition of Zionism
Carrie Prejean Boller Removed from Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission Following Antisemitism Hearing
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, chair of President Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission, announced the removal of Carrie Prejean Boller on February 11. The decision follows a contentious February 9 hearing on the rise of antisemitism in America, during which Prejean Boller disagreed with Jewish witnesses and fellow commissioners.
In a statement posted to X, Patrick claimed that Prejean Boller was dismissed for using the commission as a platform for a personal political agenda."No member of the Commission has the right to hijack a hearing for their own personal and political agenda on any issue," Patrick stated. "This is clearly, without question, what happened Monday... This was my decision."
Tensions Over Zionism and Genocide in Gaza
The hearing featured testimony from Jewish students and rabbis.Prejean Boller, a former Miss California USA who recently converted to Catholicism in April, questioned the term Zionism:
Questioning definitions: She asked if criticizing the war in Gaza (where over 73,000 have been killed - which she termed a genocide) should be considered antisemitic.
Challenging "Zionism": She explained, "Catholics do not embrace Zionism" and wore a pin featuring both U.S. and Palestinian flags. (The Vatican has consistently affirmed a two-state solution and recognizes Palestine) In a recent document the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem Denounced "damaging ideologies, such as Christian Zionism" (Pope Leo XIV recently spoke on behalf of the people in Gaza)
Questioning Loyalty: She questioned witnesses on whether they viewed her as an antisemite for not supporting the state of Israel, which she referred to as a "foreign country."
A conservative Jewish group, called "Voice of Rabbis" voiced it's support for Prejean Boller, they wrote: It's wrong for them to have a panel on anti-Semitism and only have on it Jews of the Zionist denomination. They know we disagree with them vehemently about anti-Zionism being anti-Semitism. I live in the city with the largest population of Jews in the country, and our mayor just rejected the IHRA definition and correctly rejects the nonsensical idea that anti-Zionism is anti-Semitism. Yet the panel was unable to have any Jew who is not a Zionist participate in this vital discussion.
Defense of Candace Owens
During the proceedings, Prejean Boller also disagreed with Protestant Seth Dillon, CEO of The Babylon Bee. When Dillon criticized conservative media figures like Candace Owens for promoting what he sees as antisemitic conspiracy theories, Prejean Boller defended Owens, stating she listens to her daily.
Owens has faced backlash for accusing Jewish conservatives of being part of a "synagogue of Satan." Following the dismissal, Owens defended Prejean Boller, calling the hearing "performative Zionist" rhetoric intended to "neuter the Christian faith."
Prejean Boller explained how her views are backed by her Catholic faith:
Nostra Aetate: Commissioner Ryan Anderson and Father Thomas Ferguson cited the 1965 Vatican document which "decries hatred, persecutions, and all displays of antisemitism."
Vatican Stance: The Church formally recognizes both Palestine and Israel
Next Steps for the Commission
Despite the controversy, Dan Patrick emphasized that the commission’s work continues. Two more hearings are scheduled before the group delivers a final report to President Trump this spring. Patrick stated the report will be "one of the most important in American history," focusing on restoring religious liberties he claims were eroded during the previous administration. " Prejean Boller’s supporters see her removal as an attempt to silence a Christian voice that refuses to prioritize foreign political interests over personal faith and humanitarian concerns, also echoed by Pope Leo XIV, in Gaza.
The White House has not yet commented on Prejean Boller’s removal.
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