Heritage Foundation Leadership Under Fire for Tolerating Antisemitism on the Right
Professor Josh Blackman, a longtime Heritage Foundation contributor and former senior editor of the Heritage Guide to the Constitution, announced his resignation in a sharply worded letter addressed to Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts. Blackman stated that Roberts’ actions and public statements had made his continued association with the organization “untenable.”
In his letter, Blackman criticized Roberts for refusing to clearly condemn antisemitic rhetoric following his defense of media personality Tucker Carlson’s interview with white nationalist Nick Fuentes earlier this year. After the interview, Roberts initially attacked critics of Carlson and Fuentes as part of a “venomous coalition” but has steadfastly avoided condemning Carlson’s antisemitism.
Blackman noted that Carlson has accused Jews of controlling Congress, the Pentagon, and the White House, and implied Israel was behind the killing of Charlie Kirk. He wrote that Roberts’ comments constituted a “huge unforced blunder,” providing “aid and comfort to the rising tide of antisemitism on the right.” Blackman also highlighted that judges, scholars, and legal advocates had informed him they could no longer associate with Heritage projects, citing canceled events and withdrawals from publications.
Blackman emphasized his decade-long relationship with Heritage, including awards he received, contributions to a white paper combating antisemitism, and leadership in producing the third edition of the Heritage Guide to the Constitution—a project featuring over 150 scholars and a foreword by Justice Samuel Alito. He concluded that while “the Heritage brand, once iconic, instantly became toxic,” the damage under Roberts’ leadership had become “irreparable.”
Roberts faced backlash in October after publicly defending Carlson, prompting multiple resignations within Heritage. Blackman’s departure marks the latest high-profile break from the organization amid growing criticism of its handling of antisemitism on the right. Meanwhile, Carlson recently earned the title “Antisemite of the Year” from StopAntisemitism, a Jewish civil rights group that accused him of hosting “glowing interviews” with antisemitic figures and Holocaust deniers. Vice President JD Vance has attempted to address tensions at AmericaFest 2025 but has refused to criticize Carlson, Candace Owens, or Steve Bannon for their rhetoric.
