By Halie Sofer
Jewish Democratic Council of America
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, we commemorate 80 years since the liberation of Auschwitz on International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Today and every day, we remember the six million lives lost in the Holocaust and recommit to the promise of “never again.”
As Jewish Americans, the horrors of the Holocaust are ingrained into our collective consciousness. This is a guiding principle of our efforts to combat antisemitism and bigotry, pursue justice, defend democracy, and denounce dangerous threats to our community and others, no matter their source.
Since the horrors of October 7, 2023 – the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust – antisemitism has risen in the U.S. and around the world. Now, one week into Donald Trump’s second term, we cannot be silent about the emboldening of dangerous extremists and antisemites in our country.
On his first day in office, Donald Trump pardoned and commuted the sentences of more than 1,500 January 6 insurrectionists. Those released from jail include the heads of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, domestic extremists, antisemites, and white supremacists. The Proud Boys wear shirts that read “6MWE,” or “six million wasn’t enough.” Trump also pardoned the man who wore a “Camp Auschwitz” sweatshirt to the Capitol. We condemn these pardons because they have rewarded dangerous antisemites and extremists, who have been given the green light for political violence.
At Donald Trump’s inaugural event, Elon Musk twice gave a Nazi salute. Musk’s subsequent jokes about Nazism, his support of the German far-right AfD Party, and his assertion that the Germans should “move beyond” the horrors of the Holocaust underscore the danger of an administration aligned with extremists in the U.S. and around the world.
JDCA is your community, political home, and place to take action, and we’re not backing down. Together, we will continue to stand strong and fight back against antisemitism and hate wherever it occurs. And today, we’re recommitting to this mission and renewing our pledge of “never again.”
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Halie Sofer is the CEO of the Jewish Democratic Council of America
I think looking for perfection in any one person will always lead to demonizing because perfection doesn’t exist.
You want to harpoon on Trump pardoning the Proud Boys, go ahead. But let’s not undermine the support he has given Israel and how publicly he stands with us. Something that the previous, Democratic administration, refused to do.
Same regarding Musk. Even the ADL stated that the gesture was awkward enthusiasm. The context of that movement is important and by taking it out of context and trying hard to demonize him, makes it hard to take you seriously. Fact of the matter is, Musk went to Israel to see the destruction himself. He publicly stands with Israel. Furthermore, for someone you are trying to paint as some crazed neo-nazi, it’s weird the Netanyahu would invite him to his speech in front of congress as his personal guest.
Look, we had a terrible election. Our choices seem to get worse and worse with each election. This time around, we had to choose between terrible and bad. Bad won which is still better than terrible. Instead of trying to further divide the nation, let’s stand united so in four years, we can get normal good choices to lead this country.