"Disruption and Disloyalty:" Staffers Flee Heritage Foundation Over Antisemitism

A growing number of senior staffers have departed the Heritage Foundation in recent weeks amid internal turmoil tied to leadership decisions and disputes over antisemitism, with more than a dozen employees leaving over the weekend to join a conservative advocacy group founded by former vice president Mike Pence.

The departures follow sustained backlash after Heritage president Kevin Roberts released a video defending media personality Tucker Carlson following Carlson’s friendly interview with white nationalist Nick Fuentes. The move prompted an antisemitism task force affiliated with the foundation to sever ties last month, citing concerns about the organization’s direction and judgment.

Roberts acknowledged the latest resignations in an internal email to staff on Sunday, characterizing the exits as contentious and signaling that leadership viewed them as disloyal. He did not directly address the antisemitism controversy in the message.

Those leaving Heritage are joining Advancing American Freedom, an advocacy group established by Pence that announced the hires over the weekend. Pence praised the incoming staff as principled conservatives committed to the Constitution and the rule of law. Former attorney general Edwin Meese said the group would also house a new institute focused on legal and constitutional issues.

The resignations add to mounting instability at the influential conservative think tank. Earlier this month, three members of Heritage’s board of trustees resigned, and internal investigations were launched into alleged leaks following media scrutiny of the Carlson-Fuentes episode. The controversy has exposed deep divisions within the organization over how to address extremism, antisemitism, and reputational risk.

Critics argue that Roberts’s response to the Carlson interview signaled tolerance for figures and rhetoric that many Jewish organizations and mainstream conservatives consider beyond the pale. The antisemitism task force that cut ties with Heritage cited the leadership’s handling of the episode as incompatible with its mission.

Heritage leadership has pushed back forcefully. Chief advancement officer Andy Olivastro said the organization’s mission remains unchanged and that alignment and loyalty are non-negotiable. He confirmed that two staffers were terminated last week for conduct he described as inconsistent with organizational standards, including breaches of fiduciary duty and improper handling of internal materials.

Despite leadership claims of donor growth and institutional strength, the departures underscore a broader reckoning within the conservative movement over antisemitism, extremism, and the boundaries of acceptable discourse. The split between Heritage and former senior staff now aligning with Pence reflects competing visions of conservatism at a moment of heightened political and cultural strain.