Religious Liberty Commission member removed from panel over ‘hijacking’ antisemitism hearing

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said Wednesday that a member of President Donald Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission was removed from the panel after she attempted to “hijack” an antisemitism hearing earlier this week.Former Miss USA runner-up Carrie Prejean Boller attempted to steer the conversation at Monday’s hearing toward the definition of antisemitism and Israel’s war with Hamas, including by pressing a Jewish witness to condemn Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Patrick, who leads the commission with former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson, said he made the decision to remove Boller after she attempted to “hijack” the hearing for her own 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 wrote on X. “This is clearly, without question, what happened Monday in our hearing on antisemitism in America.” 
The Texan highlighted the commission’s work to illuminate antisemitism and other examples of religious persecution under the Biden administration and said the commission will be releasing a report in the spring.
“Under the Biden administration, Americans of all faiths had their religious liberty not only stolen from them but were often punished for standing up for their faith, in education, the military, the private sector, and even the ministry,” Patrick wrote before highlighting Trump’s commitment to religious liberty. 
“The President respects all faiths. He believes that all Americans have a right to receive the great inheritance given to them by our founding fathers in the First Amendment,” Patrick continued. “I am grateful to President Trump for having the vision and boldness to create this Commission. Fighting for the Word of God and religious freedom is what this nation was founded upon. Leading this fight will be one of his greatest legacies.”
Boller claimed Patrick lacked the authority to remove her from the post, which the president created in May, stating she was a presidential appointee and said she would remain in her role until Trump orders otherwise.
“You are speaking without authority, and it is clear your actions reflect a Zionist political agenda, not the President’s, not the U.S. Constitution’s, and not the purpose of this Commission,” she wrote on X. “I know [Trump] cares deeply about religious freedom, which is why he appointed me. Your attempt to remove me for my deeply held religious beliefs while I was serving on a Religious Liberty Commission directly contradicts the mission of this body.
“I look forward to next month’s hearing,” she continued. “I am more determined than ever to protect and defend religious freedom for all Americans. I refuse to bend the knee to Israel. I am no slave to a foreign nation, but to Christ our King.”
Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.

Read Full Article: https://justthenews.com/nation/religion/religious-liberty-commission-member-removed-panel-over-hijacking-antisemitism?utm_source=justthenews.com&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=external-news-aggregators