Trump Nominee Jeremy Carl Faces Stalemate Over Controversial Remarks

Feb 14, 2026, 2:48 AM

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President Donald Trump's nominee for a significant State Department role, Jeremy Carl, has encountered bipartisan resistance following a confirmation hearing where he was challenged on contentious remarks regarding Israel and the Holocaust. Senator John Curtis, a Republican from Utah, expressed his opposition to Carl's nomination for the position of Assistant Secretary of State for International Organizations after scrutinizing Carl's past comments made as recently as 2024.

Curtis articulated his concerns in a statement, asserting, "After reviewing his record and participating in today's hearing, I do not believe that Jeremy Carl is the right person to represent our nation's best interests in international forums, and I find his anti-Israel views and insensitive remarks about the Jewish people unbecoming of the position for which he has been nominated." This statement underscores the gravity of the situation, as Curtis's objections have effectively stalled Carl's nomination process.

During the hearing, Curtis confronted Carl about a specific exchange from a podcast in 2024. Carl reportedly agreed with a host who claimed that Israel is not a victim but rather a perpetrator. Curtis quoted Carl's response to the podcast, saying, "Right, right. Yeah, no, I mean, I think that's true." This prompted Curtis to question Carl's suitability for the role in light of such views.

In the wake of Curtis's opposition, Carl maintained his confidence in eventually being confirmed, stating, "It's never pleasant to be falsely accused, but I'm grateful for the continued support of the White House." However, the White House has not publicly commented on Curtis's statements or the implications for Carl's nomination.

The political dynamics surrounding Carl's nomination are complex. The Foreign Relations Committee currently holds a Republican majority of 12 to 10, meaning that any vote from a GOP member against Carl results in a tie of 11-11. Such a tie prevents the nomination from advancing to the full Senate for a confirmation vote, effectively putting Carl's future in the position in jeopardy.

In a separate but related exchange during the hearing, Senator Chris Murphy, a Democrat from Connecticut, questioned Carl on his definition of "white identity" and the implications of mass immigration. Carl's response, which expressed concerns about the perceived balkanization of American culture due to immigration, led Murphy to label Carl as a "legit white nationalist." This characterization has further fueled the controversy surrounding Carl's nomination, raising questions about his views on race and identity.

Carl's background includes serving as a senior fellow at the Claremont Institute, a conservative think tank, and previously holding the position of deputy assistant interior secretary during Trump's first term. His current nomination involves implementing US policy at the United Nations and other multilateral organizations, making the scrutiny of his views particularly relevant.

The controversy surrounding Carl's nomination comes on the heels of another incident involving Trump's Religious Liberty Commission, where a member was ousted over remarks related to antisemitism and Israel. This pattern of scrutiny reflects a broader discussion within the GOP about the party's stance on Israel and its relations with the Jewish community.

As the situation unfolds, the future of Jeremy Carl's nomination remains uncertain. With bipartisan opposition mounting, it is unclear whether he will be able to overcome these challenges and secure the position intended to influence US policy on the international stage.

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