Michele Bachmann Resigns from Heritage Foundation Over Antisemitism Crisis

By Newsmax Wires | Sunday, 09 November 2025 01:59 PM EST

Former Minnesota GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann resigned from the Heritage Foundation’s National Task Force to Combat Antisemitism (NTFCA) on Thursday, accusing the think tank’s board of directors of failing to hold President Kevin Roberts accountable. In a statement sent exclusively to Newsmax, Bachmann argued that the once-respected organization appears to be in decline due to the board’s inaction in “repairing the breach if the good name of Heritage is to survive.”

Roberts triggered a crisis after Tucker Carlson interviewed white supremacist and Hitler-admiring antisemite Nick Fuentes. Roberts defended the interview publicly in a video, later calling it a “mistake” but refusing to condemn Carlson for his antisemitic advocacy or sever ties with him. “I resigned from the Heritage antisemitism task force because Heritage leadership failed to stand against the voices of antisemitism on the political right,” Bachmann said. She criticized the organization for embracing and defending “consistent voices of antisemitism” within conservative circles, calling it the “biggest PR disaster in Heritage’s history.”

Bachmann, now dean of Regent University’s Robertson School of Government, stated she “loved and supported the organization since its inception” but warned that “something has clearly gone wrong within the leadership of Heritage.” She joined a growing list of conservative figures resigning over Roberts’ refusal to denounce antisemitism. The NTFCA also announced it was separating from Heritage, citing the organization’s failure to condemn Carlson.

“The political left embraces antisemitism full stop,” Bachmann asserted, warning that right-wing extremism could soon dominate conservative thought. She emphasized, “Antisemitism has no place within conservatism.” Since being fired from Fox News in 2023, Carlson has become a focal point for antisemitic rhetoric on the right, repeatedly suggesting Israel or “Zionists” control U.S. policy and media.

The Anti-Defamation League condemned Carlson’s remarks as reinforcing harmful myths about Jewish influence. Sen. Ted Cruz criticized Carlson’s bigotry, urging conservatives to reject it. Jewish community leader Bryan Leib, who also resigned from NTFCA, called Roberts’ continued friendship with Carlson “reprehensible.”

A leaked video of a Heritage staff meeting revealed employees demanding Roberts’ resignation over his inaction. Longtime fellow Robert Rector questioned why the think tank tolerated Carlson’s association with Fuentes, calling him a “fin’ cool guy” who admired Hitler. Roberts faced widespread condemnation but offered an apology critics called empty and evasive.

Heritage legal scholar Amy Swearer described Roberts’ conduct as “a masterclass in cowardice.” Rabbi Yaakov Menken warned of danger to Jewish people and American civilization, while Zionist Organization of America President Morton Klein urged Roberts to resign. Major Jewish donors have reportedly cut off the think tank, costing it millions in support.

Bachmann concluded that unless the board acts swiftly, “there may be nothing left to save.” None of Heritage’s 13 Trustees have commented on Roberts’ actions.