A significant upheaval is unfolding within President Donald Trump’s Religious Liberties Commission as Sameerah Munshi, the sole Muslim woman serving on its advisory board, has tendered her resignation. Middle East Eye has obtained her resignation letter, which states her departure is a direct protest against the White House’s dismissal of anti-Zionist Catholic commissioner Carrie Prejean-Boller from the panel.
The controversy stems from Prejean-Boller’s removal, which she revealed via social media platform X, attributing it to her vocal opposition to Israel’s military actions in Gaza and her anti-Zionist stance, which she insists is not antisemitic. This dismissal followed a widely circulated video from a February commission meeting featuring a heated debate where Prejean-Boller argued that Catholicism and Zionism are incompatible.
In her resignation letter, Munshi powerfully questioned the state of religious freedom, writing, ‘If we are not free in America to abide by our religious beliefs and hold fast to them despite others’ disagreement, then in what country are we free to do so?’ She further leveled serious accusations, claiming certain commission members exhibited hostility and mockery towards the Muslim faith.
The commission’s structure reveals a notable lack of Muslim representation at the commissioner level, the panel’s top tier. All three involved Muslims, including Munshi, held only advisory roles appointed by the administration. Munshi detailed a pattern of isolation that began after she testified in September 2025 about the constitutional right to protest Israel’s actions in Palestinian territories, after which she claims she was no longer provided witness lists before hearings.
The bond between Munshi and Prejean-Boller formed following that testimony, with Munshi describing her as a rare conservative who ‘really respects Muslims.’ Munshi’s resignation is also motivated by the recent U.S.-Israeli military action against Iran, which her letter condemns as ‘unlawful killing of children and civilians.’
Allegations from a Heritage Foundation member suggested Munshi provided Prejean-Boller with talking points, which Munshi firmly denied, explaining she was merely recording as requested to ensure her colleague’s comments were captured. Prejean-Boller, emotionally recounting her experience to MEE, stated she felt compelled to speak for Palestinians and described her removal as ‘un-American,’ expressing absolute disgust with the president for what she sees as a betrayal of the American people and the Constitution.
The commission now faces scrutiny from lawmakers from both parties investigating potential violations of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) concerning balance, transparency, and fair representation, compounding existing legal challenges from religious groups questioning the panel’s motives.