Josh Blackman, a prominent professor, has severed ties with the conservative think tank, the Heritage Foundation, in response to the organization's President, Kevin Roberts, failing to denounce the escalating anti-Semitism within right-wing circles.
Blackman's departure is a significant blow to the organization, marking a growing trend of individuals distancing themselves from the group due to its perceived tolerance of anti-Semitic rhetoric.
According to Mediaite, Blackman penned a scathing resignation letter to Roberts, accusing him of providing "aid and comfort" to anti-Jewish sentiment. "Your actions have made my continued affiliation with Heritage untenable," Blackman wrote, expressing his disbelief that he had to take such a step, something he "could not have even conceived of such an action only a few months ago."
Roberts came under fire in October for his defense of Tucker Carlson's contentious interview with white nationalist Nick Fuentes. His staunch defense of Carlson was met with widespread condemnation from the right, triggering a series of resignations within the Heritage Foundation. Blackman, in his letter, pointed out that the organization's reputation took a significant hit following Roberts' controversial video.
"Your initial remarks were indefensible. Your apology was underwhelming. And the lack of any meaningful followup over the past three months has been telling," he wrote.
Blackman's departure is the latest in a series of high-profile figures, both within and outside of Heritage, publicly distancing themselves from the organization. His letter highlighted the backlash following Roberts' comments as a key reason for his decision to leave. "In the wake of your remarks, jurists, scholars, and advocates have made clear to me they can no longer associate with the Heritage Guide they contributed to," he wrote, adding that "[t]he Heritage brand, once iconic, instantly became toxic," after Roberts' remarks.
Blackman, who previously served as the Senior Editor of the Heritage Guide to the Constitution, quoted conservative commentator Ben Shapiro's recent remarks at Turning Point USA's AmericaFest conference: "If Heritage Foundation wishes to retain its status as a leading thought institution in the conservative movement, it must act as ideological border control."
The fallout from Roberts' comments has been extensive. Judges who have previously spoken at Heritage have indicated they will no longer affiliate with the organization, and will no longer recommend their clerks attend the Clerkship Academy. Scholars who have won prizes from Heritage have stated they will no longer contribute to any Heritage publications. Public interest litigators have publicly declared they will no longer attend the Legal Strategy Forum.
Blackman's resignation letter paints a grim picture of the Heritage Foundation's current state. He asserts that the damage to the Meese Center brand, under the Heritage Foundation, has been irreparable due to the current leadership. Despite the controversy, Blackman expressed hope that the important scholarship in the Heritage Guide can continue to be studied.
The Heritage Foundation, once a beacon of conservative thought, now finds itself in a precarious position. With its reputation tarnished and its moral standing questioned, the organization faces the daunting task of rebuilding trust within the conservative movement.
As Blackman's resignation underscores, the Heritage Foundation's future hinges on its ability to address these concerns and reaffirm its commitment to the principles that have long defined the conservative movement.
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