Carrie Prejean Boller, a former Miss California and longtime conservative activist, has been officially removed from the Trump administration’s Religious Liberty Commission following controversy surrounding remarks she made during a recent commission hearing.
The commission was created to advise the White House on “steps to secure domestic religious liberty and identifying opportunities to further the cause of religious liberty around the world,” according to LifeSiteNews.
Boller drew national attention during the commission’s fifth meeting on February 9, which focused on anti-Semitic harassment and intimidation, particularly on college campuses. According to LifeSiteNews, the hearing became contentious after Boller raised questions about Zionism and its relationship to Catholic teaching.
During the discussion, Boller argued that Zionism is incompatible with Catholic doctrine and questioned fellow panelists about whether criticism of Israel or Zionism should be considered anti-Semitic. She reportedly asked panelists whether such criticism automatically constituted anti-Semitism and whether they supported limits on speech related to the issue.
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According to LifeSiteNews, other panelists responded that criticism of Israel or Zionism does not necessarily amount to anti-Semitism. However, some participants noted that denying Israel’s right to exist or rejecting the Jewish people’s right to a homeland could be considered anti-Semitic depending on how the term “Zionism” is defined.
Boller also challenged panelists to condemn Israel’s conduct in its war against Hamas in Gaza and defended several public figures accused of anti-Semitism. The exchange reportedly intensified debate during the hearing and drew widespread attention afterward.
Following the event, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who chairs the commission, announced that Boller had been removed from the panel. Patrick stated that she had attempted to “hijack a hearing for their own personal and political agenda on any issue,” according to LifeSiteNews.
On March 12, Boller shared on social media a letter from the Presidential Personnel Office confirming that her appointment had been terminated “effective immediately.” The letter, signed by Mary Sprowls, formally finalized her removal from the commission.
Boller publicly criticized the decision and suggested it was related to her stance on Zionism. “The only Catholic woman who opposes Zionism was removed as a prelude to the Iran war,” she wrote on X, according to LifeSiteNews.
She also posted a letter addressed to President Donald Trump expressing disappointment over the manner in which she learned of the decision. In the letter, Boller reminded the president of her long-standing support for him.
“For nearly 20 years I have stood by you,” she wrote. “I attended both of your inaugurations. I went to your rallies. I defended you publicly when it was not popular to do so.”
Boller continued by recalling her public support during difficult moments in Trump’s political career. “I wore the red Make America Great Again hat proudly when it was not popular, or even safe, to do so because I believed in what you were fighting for. Now, I don’t even recognize you,” she wrote, according to LifeSiteNews.
Critics of Boller argue that her remarks during the February hearing shifted the focus away from the commission’s mandate to address religious liberty concerns within the United States. Supporters, however, claim that her removal reflects disagreement with her views on Israel and foreign policy.
The controversy highlights the increasingly complex debates surrounding religious liberty, foreign policy, and freedom of speech—issues that continue to spark strong reactions both within government institutions and among faith communities.
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Carrie Boller defended her Catholic faith admirably. Zionism is a cancer