White House Office to Combat Antisemitism

Proposal for the Creation of a White House Office to Combat Antisemitism

June 14, 2025 · By Kincaid

Jewish Americans are facing harassment, vandalism, intimidation, and violence and too often the government's response is fragmented, slow, and invisible to the public. Despite the documented rise of antisemitism in the United States and around the world, there is no permanent White House office solely dedicated to confronting this growing threat. While agencies like the State Department and the Domestic Policy Council play supporting roles, their efforts are disconnected, reactive, and largely unknown to most Americans.

We need a permanent, visible, high level response. That is why I am proposing the creation of a White House Office to Combat Antisemitism, housed within the Executive Office of the President.

This office would serve as the center of gravity for federal coordination setting national priorities, aligning agency efforts, measuring results, and ensuring the federal government responds to antisemitism with speed, seriousness, and accountability.

Why This Office Is Needed

Antisemitism is not only a threat to Jewish people. It is a threat to the rule of law, to civil rights, and to national security. FBI data consistently shows that Jewish Americans are the most targeted religious group in hate crime statistics year after year. Antisemitism is rising on college campuses, spreading across online platforms, and deepening inside extremist movements. Yet no single office currently has the authority, the visibility, or the permanence to drive a comprehensive federal response.

Other national priorities drug policy, pandemic preparedness, cybersecurity have long had dedicated White House offices to coordinate the government's response. Antisemitism deserves no less.

Right now, responsibility is scattered across many agencies: the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, the Department of Education, the Department of Health and Human Services, the State Department, and others. Each plays a role. But without a strong coordinating center inside the White House, the federal response remains fragmented, inconsistent, reactive, and largely invisible to the American public.

A White House office makes the issue impossible to ignore. It gives the federal government a single, authoritative place to set strategy, coordinate action, and be held accountable for results.

Mission

The White House Office to Combat Antisemitism would:

Coordinate federal policy and operations across all relevant agencies
Track antisemitic incidents and threats using consistent national metrics
Support prevention through education, community partnerships, and targeted training
Strengthen enforcement against violence, threats, and unlawful discrimination
Publish transparent, public facing reporting so Americans can see both progress and gaps

What the Office Would Actually Do

This would be an operational coordinating office inside the Executive Office of the President with real responsibilities and measurable outputs.

1. Interagency Coordination and Rapid Response

Establish an interagency working group with senior designees from the DOJ, FBI, DHS, Department of Education, HHS, and State Department
Create a rapid response protocol for major incidents involving threats, violence, or coordinated harassment
Ensure the White House can immediately mobilize resources when Jewish communities are targeted

2. Enforcement and Civil Rights Implementation

Coordinate DOJ and FBI support for investigations where conduct crosses into credible threats, criminal harassment, vandalism, or violence
Work with the Department of Education's civil rights enforcement division when antisemitism constitutes illegal discrimination in schools and universities
Promote consistent guidance and training for federal, state, and local partners

3. Online Hate, Threats, and Propaganda

The government cannot and should not police constitutionally protected speech. But it can and should do the following:

Convene major online platforms and establish faster response channels for credible threats
Push for transparency metrics: response times, enforcement of existing platform policies, and reporting consistency
Coordinate referrals when content crosses into unlawful conduct threats, harassment, stalking, and coordinated intimidation

This approach is both legally durable and operationally serious. It focuses on safety, transparency, and enforcement not censorship.

4. Prevention and Public Education

Fund and coordinate evidence based antisemitism prevention programs
Expand training for schools and institutions on recognizing antisemitism and responding effectively
Work with communities to strengthen security where needed, consistent with civil liberties protections

5. Public Reporting and Accountability

Publish an annual report on antisemitism trends and the status of federal action
Maintain a public facing dashboard of federal initiatives, programs, and measurable progress

Structure and Leadership

Location: The office would be housed within the Executive Office of the President, reporting directly to senior White House leadership.

Leadership: Led by a Director with direct access to the President's senior staff, supported by a professional team covering policy, data and analytics, interagency coordination, communications, and community engagement.

Advisory Council: A bipartisan advisory council would include:

Jewish community leaders across denominations
Civil rights experts
Law enforcement and security professionals
Education leaders
Civil liberties representatives to ensure appropriate guardrails

Deliverables and Timeline

This office should be judged by what it actually delivers not by its existence.

Within 90 days: Interagency operating plan, designated agency liaisons, and a national metrics framework
Within 180 days: Federal guidance package for educational institutions and a best practices toolkit for communities
Within 12 months: First annual report, public dashboard, and measurable performance targets for year two

Budget and Staffing

Estimated annual budget: $8–12 million
Estimated staffing: 20 full time staff

This is a modest investment for a major national priority and far less costly than allowing hate driven threats and violence to go unchecked and unchallenged.

Precedent and Why This Can Happen Now

The federal government has created high-level White House coordinating offices before when the stakes demanded it offices designed to align agencies, enforce strategy, and deliver results. Antisemitism and hate driven violence deserve that same level of seriousness and commitment.

Two pieces of legislation already address this need: H.R. 6806, the Antisemitism Response and Prevention Act of 2025, and S. 4091, the Countering Antisemitism Act. Both call for the creation of a National Coordinator to Combat Antisemitism. Both have stalled in Congress and may never pass.

My proposal does not depend on Congress. A White House Office to Combat Antisemitism can be established by executive action it can happen now. Jewish Americans cannot afford to wait indefinitely for legislation that may never move.

In January 2025, the Justice Department announced the formation of a multi agency Task Force to Combat Antisemitism. That effort is meaningful, but it is not the same as a permanent institutional office. Because it was not created by statute, it can be modified or shut down through administrative action at any time.

There are two ways to establish this office permanently:

By statute (Congressional law): More durable can define authorities and reporting requirements in law
By executive action: Faster to launch, but subject to reversal by future administrations

I support making this office permanent through legislation, so the federal government's commitment does not evaporate with the next news cycle or the next election.

Who Should Lead This Office

I have three candidates in mind for Director: Shai Albrecht, Noa Tishby, and Elizabeth Savetsky. My first choice is Shai Albrecht.

No disrespect is intended toward the current U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism or the White House Jewish Liaison. But the reality is that most Americans outside the Jewish community have never heard of them or their offices. That is not a reflection on those individuals it is a reflection of how invisible the fight against antisemitism has become in the halls of power.

More is needed. It is needed now. We need a far more visible office with a far more visible leader someone with the reach and the credibility to speak not just to the Jewish community, but to every American.

A Note on Security

Unfortunately, whoever is chosen to lead the White House Office to Combat Antisemitism will need immediate, round the clock protection for themselves and their immediate family ideally at the level of Secret Service protection.

The visibility and mission of this role will make its Director a target. That reality must be planned for from day one, not addressed after an incident occurs. The federal government has an obligation to protect those it asks to stand on the front lines of this fight.

A Personal Word

"Antisemitism is not just a threat to Jews. It is a threat to national security. It is a threat to the very principles that are the foundation of America. When I see what is happening to Jewish people, it breaks my heart. This should not be happening anywhere in the world. But to see it happening in America should make every American bow their head in shame."

— Kincaid

White House Office to Combat Antisemitism Act of 2027

120th Congress · 1st Session · H.R. ____

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Mr. Kincaid of Washington introduced the following bill, which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary and, in addition, to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

A BILL to establish the White House Office to Combat Antisemitism within the Executive Office of the President, to designate a Director, to require interagency collaboration, public reporting, and measurable accountability, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

Section 1. Short Title

This Act may be cited as the "White House Office to Combat Antisemitism Act of 2027" or the "WHOCA Act of 2027."

Section 2. Findings

Congress finds the following:

Antisemitism is not merely a threat to Jewish Americans. It is a threat to the rule of law, civil rights, national security, and the democratic principles upon which the United States was founded.
FBI hate crime data consistently identifies Jewish Americans as the most frequently targeted religious group in the United States, year after year.
Antisemitic incidents are rising on college campuses, proliferating across online platforms, and accelerating within domestic extremist movements.
The federal government's current response to antisemitism is fragmented across multiple agencies without a central coordinating authority.
The absence of a permanent, high-visibility coordinating office within the Executive Office of the President results in a response that is reactive, inconsistent, and largely invisible to the American public.
Other national priorities including drug policy, pandemic preparedness, and cybersecurity have long been served by dedicated White House coordinating offices. Combating antisemitism warrants the same level of institutional commitment.
Existing legislative proposals, including H.R. 6806 and S. 4091, have stalled in Congress. A permanent office established by statute provides durability and accountability that executive action alone cannot guarantee.
The White House Jewish Liaison serves a distinct and vital function as a relationship and community engagement office. That office should remain independent, while being required to coordinate formally with the Office established by this Act.

Section 3. Establishment of the White House Office to Combat Antisemitism

(a) Establishment. There is established within the Executive Office of the President an office to be known as the "White House Office to Combat Antisemitism" (referred to in this Act as the "Office").

(b) Purpose. The purpose of the Office is to serve as the central coordinating authority for all federal efforts to identify, prevent, and respond to antisemitism in the United States, and to ensure that those efforts are visible, measurable, consistent, and accountable to the American public.

(c) Location. The Office shall be housed within the Executive Office of the President and shall report directly to senior White House leadership.

Section 4. Director of the Office

(a) Appointment. The Office shall be led by a Director, appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.

(b) Qualifications. The Director shall have demonstrated expertise in civil rights, law enforcement, national security, or community leadership, and shall have the public profile and credibility necessary to advance the Office's mission with both the Jewish community and the broader American public.

(c) Duties. The Director shall serve as the principal federal official responsible for coordinating government wide efforts to combat antisemitism; report directly to the President or a senior designee; chair the Interagency Working Group established under Section 6; oversee development of a National Strategy to Combat Antisemitism updated not less than every two years; submit annual reports to Congress; and maintain regular formal coordination with the White House Jewish Liaison as provided in Section 5.

(d) Compensation. The Director shall be compensated at a rate not to exceed Level II of the Executive Schedule under section 5313 of title 5, United States Code.

Section 5. Relationship to the White House Jewish Liaison

(a) Preservation. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to abolish, subordinate, or diminish the role of the White House Jewish Liaison. The Liaison shall continue to serve as the principal point of contact between the President and the American Jewish community and shall retain its existing functions and reporting structure.

(b) Formal Coordination Requirement. The Director and the White House Jewish Liaison shall establish a formal coordination protocol within 60 days of the Director's confirmation, ensuring regular communication not less than monthly, coordination on community engagement and outreach, collaboration on public communications, and a clear delineation of roles enforcement and coordination with the Office; community relationships with the Liaison.

(c) Joint Reporting. The Director and the White House Jewish Liaison shall submit a joint section in the annual report required under Section 9, describing the coordination activities of both offices during the prior year.

Section 6. Interagency Working Group on Antisemitism

(a) Establishment. The Director shall establish and chair an Interagency Working Group on Antisemitism.

(b) Membership. The Working Group shall include senior designees from the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Education, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of State, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and such other agencies as the Director determines appropriate.

(c) Duties. The Working Group shall meet not less than quarterly; develop and implement a Rapid Response Protocol for major incidents ensuring the White House can mobilize federal resources within 24 hours of a qualifying incident; coordinate civil rights enforcement across agencies; develop consistent guidance and training standards for federal, state, and local law enforcement partners; and identify and eliminate duplicative federal programs.

Section 7. Core Functions of the Office

(a) National Incident Tracking. The Office shall establish and maintain a National Antisemitism Incident Tracking System, in coordination with the FBI and Department of Justice, updated not less than quarterly and made publicly accessible on the Office's website.

(b) Online Threats and Platform Coordination. The Office shall convene major online platforms to establish faster response channels for credible antisemitic threats; develop and publish transparency metrics covering platform response times and enforcement consistency; and coordinate referrals to the DOJ and FBI when online content crosses into unlawful conduct. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to authorize the Office to regulate or penalize constitutionally protected speech.

(c) Prevention and Education. The Office shall fund and coordinate evidence based antisemitism prevention programs; develop and disseminate training curricula for schools, universities, and other institutions; and support community security efforts consistent with civil liberties protections.

(d) Enforcement Coordination. The Office shall coordinate with the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division and the Department of Education Office for Civil Rights to ensure consistent, timely, and visible enforcement when antisemitism constitutes illegal discrimination in federally funded programs, schools, or universities.

Section 8. Advisory Council

The Director shall establish a bipartisan Advisory Council on Combating Antisemitism of not more than 20 members, including Jewish community leaders representing a diversity of denominations and regions; civil rights experts; law enforcement and national security professionals; education leaders; and civil liberties representatives to ensure the Office's activities remain consistent with First and Fourth Amendment protections. Members shall serve two year terms, meet not less than twice per year, and serve without compensation.

Section 9. Reporting and Public Accountability

(a) Annual Report to Congress. Not later than one year after the date of enactment, and annually thereafter, the Director shall submit to the relevant committees of Congress a comprehensive report including antisemitism trend data, a description of all federal programs and activities, an assessment of progress toward the National Strategy, identification of gaps requiring legislative action, performance metrics, and the joint coordination section with the White House Jewish Liaison.

(b) Public Dashboard. The Office shall maintain a publicly accessible online dashboard, updated not less than quarterly, displaying incident tracking data, status of active federal initiatives, rapid response activation records, and grant awards and community investments.

Section 10. Staffing and Budget

(a) Staffing. The Director is authorized to hire not more than 25 full time equivalent employees covering policy and interagency coordination, data collection and reporting, community engagement and outreach, communications, and online threat monitoring.

(b) Authorization of Appropriations. There is authorized to be appropriated $12,000,000 for each fiscal year to carry out this Act, to remain available until expended.

Section 11. Initial Implementation Deadlines

Within 90 days of confirmation: Convene the first Working Group meeting; designate agency liaisons; establish the National Incident Tracking System framework; publish the coordination protocol with the White House Jewish Liaison; and publish an initial national metrics framework.

Within 180 days of confirmation: Issue a federal guidance package for educational institutions; publish a best practices toolkit for communities; and activate the Rapid Response Protocol.

Within 12 months of confirmation: Submit the first annual report to Congress; launch the fully operational public dashboard; and publish measurable performance targets for the second year of operations.

Section 12. Relationship to Existing Law and Offices

(a) No Preemption. Nothing in this Act shall limit or supersede the existing civil rights enforcement authorities of the Department of Justice, the Department of Education, or any other federal agency.

(b) Coordination with Special Envoy. The Director shall maintain regular coordination with the U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism at the Department of State to ensure consistency between domestic and international antisemitism response efforts.

(c) Supersession of Executive Only Efforts. Upon the Director's confirmation, any existing executive branch task forces addressing antisemitism shall be formally incorporated into or coordinated with the Office, to the extent practicable, to ensure continuity of effort.

Section 13. Severability

If any provision of this Act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the Act and its application to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected.

Section 14. Effective Date

This Act shall take effect 180 days after the date of enactment.

Definitions

"Antisemitism" means hostility toward, prejudice against, or discrimination against Jewish people as individuals or as a group, including the targeting of the State of Israel when such targeting is motivated by or equivalent to antisemitism as defined by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition.

"Director" means the Director of the White House Office to Combat Antisemitism appointed under Section 4.

"Office" means the White House Office to Combat Antisemitism established under Section 3.

"Working Group" means the Interagency Working Group on Antisemitism established under Section 6.

"Advisory Council" means the Advisory Council on Combating Antisemitism established under Section 8.

Draft prepared by Kincaid for Congress as a legislative framework. Specific provisions are subject to refinement in coordination with legal counsel, relevant committee staff, and constitutional authorities upon election to Congress.