Board member resigns over Heritage president’s response to anti-Semitism claims

Legal scholar and Princeton professor Robert George on Monday said he resigned from the board of the Heritage Foundation. The prominent conservative intellectual left because Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts would not issue a full retraction of a recent video in support of media figure Tucker Carlson, he said. Carlson faced criticism for hosting white nationalist Nick Fuentes on his podcast.

Several other Heritage staffers, including a distinguished fellow and the chief of staff, previously resigned over the situation. An anti-Semitism task force also left Heritage soon afterward.

What’s the story behind the video? Roberts posted the Oct. 30 video, in which he denied reports that Heritage was distancing itself from Carlson, after Carlson hosted Fuentes on his podcast. During the show, Fuentes said the conservative movement should be largely white and that Jews are unable to assimilate into countries other than Israel. Carlson said he agreed with some of Fuentes’ statements, particularly against Christian support of Israel.

Roberts later apologized for supporting Carlson after that show, but didn’t fully retract his comments. He separately said he abhorred Fuentes’ views.

George, the former Heritage board member, said Roberts’ acknowledgement of a mistake wasn’t sufficient to rectify the situation. He wished the best for the foundation going forward and prayed that it would stand against racism, he said.

Dig deeper: Read Carolina Lumetta’s story for more details on the blowup over anti-Semitism at Heritage.