Heritage Foundation Senior Editor Resigns, Calls Leadership 'Untenable' Over Antisemitism Response

Josh Blackman has resigned as Senior Editor of the Heritage Guide to the Constitution, sharply criticizing Heritage Foundation president Kevin Roberts for what Blackman describes as an "unforced blunder" that aided a rising tide of antisemitism on the right.

In a letter addressed to Roberts, Blackman said the president’s defense of Tucker Carlson’s interview with white nationalist Nick Fuentes — and the subsequent apology and lack of meaningful follow-up — made his continued affiliation with Heritage "untenable." Blackman wrote that Roberts’ remarks offered "aid and comfort" to anti-Jewish rhetoric and damaged the institution’s standing within the conservative legal community.

“Your actions have made my continued affiliation with Heritage untenable. First, your comments were a huge unforced blunder, and gave aid and comfort to the rising tide of antisemitism on the right.” — Josh Blackman

Blackman described his long ties with Heritage: years of collaboration, awards including the inaugural Edwin Meese Originalism Award, annual lectures at the Heritage Clerkship Academy, a Heritage white paper on combating antisemitism, and four years editing the Guide to the Constitution. He and co-editor John Malcolm recruited more than 150 jurists, scholars, and advocates for the Guide’s third edition, which includes a preface by Justice Samuel Alito and was published roughly three months before his resignation.

Concrete Fallout

According to Blackman, Roberts’ remarks prompted immediate consequences: a planned large-scale book signing tied to the Federalist Society National Convention was canceled after contributors declined to autograph copies; judges and scholars said they would no longer affiliate with Heritage or recommend its clerkship programs; prize winners and public interest litigators signaled they would withdraw participation in Heritage events. Blackman warned that the Meese Center for Legal and Judicial Studies — a central pillar of Heritage’s legal work — has been harmed by the leadership crisis.

Broader Reaction

The resignation adds to a wave of departures and public distancing from Heritage following the controversy. Blackman cited comments from conservative figures — including Senator Ted Cruz and Ben Shapiro — urging Heritage to reassert ideological boundaries if it wishes to remain a leading conservative institution. He expressed hope that the scholarship in the Heritage Guide will continue to be studied despite institutional damage.

Blackman concluded his letter by making his resignation effective immediately and signing off as former Senior Editor of the Heritage Guide to the Constitution.

Full Letter Excerpt:

“For the past decade, I have cherished my close ties with The Heritage Foundation... Yet, Heritage came to a crashing halt after your infamous video. Your initial remarks were indefensible. Your apology was underwhelming. And the lack of any meaningful followup over the past three months has been telling.”

This episode underscores the reputational risks institutions face when leaders’ statements intersect with issues of extremism and antisemitism. Heritage’s next steps will likely determine whether contributors and partners return or continue to disengage.