By Blessing Nweke
A member of the federal Religious Liberty Commission has been removed following a contentious hearing this week marked by heated exchanges over the definition of antisemitism and the boundaries of political speech.
Carrie Prejean Boller, a former Miss California turned conservative activist, was ousted after defending commentator Candace Owens, who has been criticized for promoting antisemitic conspiracy theories. During Monday’s hearing in Washington, Prejean Boller denied that Owens had made antisemitic remarks and questioned whether criticism of Israel should automatically be labeled as antisemitic.
The hearing featured testimony from witnesses who described rising antisemitism in the United States, including Jewish students who said universities failed to protect them during pro-Palestinian protests tied to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. Seth Dillon, CEO of the conservative satire site The Babylon Bee, testified that conservatives must confront what he described as a growing antisemitic movement on the right.
Prejean Boller challenged Dillon’s assertions and disputed his criticism of Owens. When Dillon cited Owens’ reference to critics as being “of the synagogue of Satan,” Prejean Boller responded that she had never heard Owens make antisemitic statements. She also questioned whether social media platforms should restrict the sharing of Bible verses attributing the death of Jesus to Jews.
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, the commission’s chair, said in a statement that no member has the right to “hijack a hearing for their own personal and political agenda.” He called the decision to remove Prejean Boller his own. She has challenged his authority, arguing that only President Donald Trump can remove her and accusing Patrick of advancing a “Zionist political agenda.”
The removal comes as progressive faith groups have filed a federal lawsuit alleging the commission lacks religious diversity and violates federal advisory committee rules.
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