Sameerah Munshi, a member of the White House Religious Liberty Commission, has stepped down in protest, citing both the war in Iran and the removal of Carrie Prejean Boller from the commission. Munshi made her decision public on social media, framing it as a stand for principle and religious freedom.
Boller, a former Miss California USA turned social media influencer, was officially removed from the commission in March by President Donald Trump. Her dismissal followed complaints from Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, who accused her of attempting to “hijack” a hearing on antisemitism. The controversy stemmed from Boller questioning the definition of antisemitism and asking a Jewish panel member whether he condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza.
During the meeting, Boller wore a pin featuring the American and Palestinian flags, pressing for a discussion about antisemitism in the context of Israel’s policies. “By not being a Zionist, does that make you an antisemite?” she asked. She further challenged a PragerU political commentator, Shabbos Kestenbaum, asking if he was “willing to condemn what Israel has done in Gaza.” Kestenbaum declined, despite international bodies such as the United Nations and Amnesty International labeling the actions in Gaza as genocide.
Following the meeting, Kestenbaum wrote an open letter accusing Boller of misusing her role by focusing on international conflict rather than domestic religious liberty concerns. Nevertheless, Boller confirmed her removal from the commission on March 12, asserting that she was dismissed for exercising her beliefs.
Munshi, the Muslim member of the commission, highlighted that she had faced mockery for her faith and experienced hostility toward the Muslim community during her tenure. “I hesitantly accepted my appointment last year to be a voice of reason and to represent ordinary Americans whose religious freedoms are often overlooked,” she said, emphasizing her commitment to American Muslims whose rights have been sidelined.
She made it clear that her resignation was not motivated by fear or intimidation. “I am resigning because I have witnessed injustice firsthand and cannot continue to be associated with it,” Munshi wrote, stressing that speaking out against the commission’s conduct was a matter of principle.
In response, Boller praised Munshi for her integrity. “Thank you for choosing your principles over your position. I am honoured to know you and call you a friend,” she said. The Council on Islamic-American Relations also lauded both women, noting that their actions represented a true defense of religious liberty. “Ms. Prejean Boller and Ms. Munshi fulfilled the commission’s purpose by opposing all forms of religious bigotry and standing up for every individual’s right to express their beliefs,” CAIR stated.
Boller, long a Trump supporter and conservative, has a history of controversy. During the 2009 Miss USA pageant, she was asked about same-sex marriage and expressed her belief that marriage should be between a man and a woman. This led to her crown being stripped over an alleged contract breach, though Trump, who owned most of the Miss Universe Organization at the time, defended her.
In a recent open letter shared on X, Boller suggested that her support for Trump and the MAGA movement had waned. “I thought MAGA stood for defending Americans who speak their convictions without fear of punishment. Today, I struggle to recognise the movement you started,” she wrote.
