The Volokh Conspiracy
Mostly law professors | Sometimes contrarian | Often libertarian | Always independent
Andrew Hale Leaves Heritage for Advancing American Freedom
"I can roll with policy changes, but what I can't roll with is a tolerance or an overlooking of antisemitism or any form of bigotry."
The exodus from the Heritage Foundation to Advancing American Freedom continues.
A senior Heritage Foundation staffer has been hired by Advancing American Freedom, joining more than 20 other former Heritage employees who have departed the conservative think tank for AAF over criticism of President Kevin Roberts' refusal to disavow Tucker Carlson for platforming neo-Nazi influencer Nick Fuentes and Roberts' handling of the broader fallout. . . .
"I can roll with policy changes, but what I can't roll with is a tolerance or an overlooking of antisemitism or any form of bigotry," Hale told Jewish Insider in an interview. "I've worked for Democrats, Republicans, Labour and Conservative in the U.K., on both sides of the Atlantic. I can roll with policy changes. This is not about that. For me, I feel obligated because I have the freedom to do so and the means to do so. I'm calling out a problem that exists at Heritage and exists in the conservative movement, and we need to exorcize it in a way that the Left has not done well."
"As someone who used to work for the late holocaust [sic] survivor and human rights advocate Congressman Tom Lantos, I have zero tolerance for any form of bigotry, and I believe most of my fellow Americans feel the same," he added in a subsequent written statement. "As a student of history, I believe antisemitism has recently been normalized in some quarters on the right and we are right back in the 1930s – and everyone should be aware of where that led."
Hale explains that those who spoke out against Kevin Roberts faced internal retaliation:
Hale cited Roberts' unwillingness to take down a video posted to Heritage's social media accounts in late October lashing out at Carlson's critics, as well as what Hale described as retaliation against those who spoke out against antisemitism at an all-staff meeting in November amid controversy over the video, as reasons for his departure from the think tank.
At the staff meeting, Hale said, "I bit my tongue and I watched others stand up and challenge, and I witnessed those people suffer dearly for that."
"It was just like they were persona non grata after that," he added, "And then we had people go around the building saying afterwards that any sort of dissent of any kind will not be tolerated. Those people suffered retaliation. Then we were all threatened and warned never to do that."
"Afterwards, we were warned not to do that. And if we had a problem and there was a disagreement, we should leave," he continued. "That offending video that caused all this a couple months ago is still up, and the offending individual hasn't taken it down. … I just don't know how that video remains up when it has caused so much damage."
Hale also pointed out how Heritage changed after the departure of Ed Feulner, a point I made in my recent WSJ op-ed.
Hale says he believes the organization "went absolutely off the rails very quickly" following the death of Heritage founder Edwin Feulner last July. . . .
Hale argued that there was a difference between how Feulner and Roberts allowed their respective faiths to influence their roles leading Heritage.
"I never knew what Ed Feulner's religion was. I discovered what it was when he had his funeral at a Roman Catholic Church. I'm also a practicing Christian. I'm Anglican, and my faith is very important to me, but I don't wear it on my sleeve," Hale said. "When Ed Feulner was there, he really was about conservatism and he was very philosophical. I know his faith did inform his policies and how he conducted himself, but I find that when there are problems at Heritage and some other organizations, they're glossed over by simply people quoting a Bible verse or talking about how God told them to do this."
Read the entire piece.
I should note there was one reverse exodus.
On December 22, I reported that Cully Simson and Hans von Spakovsky departed from Heritage. On January 12, Hans joined Advancing American Freedom. But in a bit of a twist, on January 13, Cully returned to Heritage. Here is his announcement on X:
I am proud to return to The Heritage Foundation, the most influential organization with the biggest impact advancing conservative policy and legal reform. In a turbulent time in 2025, when important issues were complicated by hasty decisions taken by many, including me, I resigned my position at Heritage. With time and reflection over the holidays, I see very clearly now: Heritage is my home. I remain committed to the core principles and the principles that have made Heritage a leader in shaping law and policy. The focus now is strengthening Heritage as a powerhouse for scholarship and strategy, driving progress on election integrity, criminal justice, regulatory reform, and constitutional governance. Heritage's impact is unmatched, and I am honored to rejoin this mission and work alongside those dedicated to building an America where freedom, opportunity, prosperity, and civil society flourish.
The Washington Times wrote about this "drama."
