Carrie Prejean Boller Removed From U.S. Religious Liberty Commission After Zionism Dispute

The U.S. Religious Liberty Commission has removed Carrie Prejean Boller, a Catholic member, after a dispute over Zionism at a hearing on antisemitism in Washington, D.C. Reports differ on how she was appointed. TRT World says she was appointed by President Donald Trump, while Israel Hayom describes her as a member of the White House Religious Freedom Commission appointed by former President Donald Trump.

According to Our Sunday Visitor (OSV), Boller engaged in a tense exchange with Jewish American witnesses at the hearing in February. She asserted that “Catholics do not embrace Zionism” without defining Zionism. Israel Hayom reported a different statement, saying Boller asserted that she believes “Jews killed Jesus” and that, because of her Catholic faith, she does not support Zionism. OSV and TRT World do not report that remark. TRT World also reported that Boller wore an American flag pin alongside a Palestinian flag to express solidarity with civilians in Gaza.

Commission Chair Dan Patrick, the Texas lieutenant governor, announced Boller’s removal on X. According to TRT World, Patrick said Boller pursued a “personal and political agenda” during the hearing and that no member has the right to hijack a hearing for personal or political purposes. OSV reported that Patrick accused her of attempting to “hijack” the hearing for personal and political reasons, and that her statement led to her removal.

Boller rejected the accusations. TRT World reported that she asserted her right to religious freedom and conscience and argued that being forced to affirm Zionism contradicts the commission’s purpose of protecting religious freedom. As a Catholic, she claimed a constitutional and God-given right not to endorse political ideologies. OSV reported that she contested Patrick’s authority to remove her.

Philip Cunningham, a professor at St. Joseph’s University, told OSV that Zionism is often misinterpreted and is linked to Christian Zionist readings of Scripture and to European colonialism. He said these views do not align with Catholic thought as set out in Vatican and papal statements. He pointed to the Second Vatican Council’s 1965 declaration *Nostra Aetate*, which affirmed the spiritual connection between Christians and Jews and condemned antisemitism. Speaking truthfully about contested questions while refusing to demean others is a matter addressed in Ephesians 4:15.

Israel Hayom described the hearing as the first of its kind.