New Hampshire Lawmaker's Holocaust Denial Proposal Highlights Growing Antisemitism in US Politics

In January, a Republican state lawmaker in New Hampshire, Rep. Matt Sabourin dit Choinière, collaborated with Germar Rudolf, a German Holocaust denier, to propose that public schools incorporate a conspiracy theory into their lesson plans: that the Nazis' murder of six million Jews during the Holocaust was a hoax.

Though the effort failed, the incident is the latest example of antisemitic extremism entering the American political mainstream. Prominent conservative voices have warned of a "cancer" within the pro-Trump MAGA movement. The state lawmaker responsible for the proposal appears to have faced no significant consequences or backlash from Republican leadership in New Hampshire.

The proposal had not been widely reported until now.

Deborah Lipstadt, an expert on Holocaust denial at Emory University and a former special envoy for the Biden administration to monitor and combat antisemitism, called the situation "extremely concerning."

An investigation by NPR's Consider This tracked the key players and uncovered a criminal case involving Rudolf.

An attempt to hijack Holocaust education exposed a pattern of antisemitism.

The New Hampshire Commission on Holocaust and Genocide Education helps set educational standards and connect public schools with teaching resources. The nonpartisan group includes educators, religious leaders, and a survivor of the Rwandan genocide.

On January 14, Democratic State Rep. Loren Selig, a commission member, introduced a bill to extend the commission's term for three more years. Selig anticipated the hearing would be brief, as she could not imagine anyone objecting to the extension.

However, moments after Selig spoke, Sabourin dit Choinière, elected in 2024, proposed an amendment. The amendment sought to add a new member to the commission from an extremist group led by Germar Rudolf, a long-time Holocaust denial activist whose claims have been repeatedly debunked. Rudolf contends that the Nazis never used gas chambers for mass murder, despite overwhelming evidence.

At Sabourin dit Choinière's invitation, Rudolf testified at the hearing, along with two other men known for their antisemitic activism. Selig, who is Jewish, was horrified, stating, "Shocked would be an understatement. I could barely speak."

Sabourin dit Choinière's amendment failed to gain any support but was seen as a "breakthrough" for the Holocaust denial movement.

The New Hampshire state legislature has experienced recent incidents of antisemitic behavior, and no formal consequences appear to have been imposed on Sabourin dit Choinière.

After ignoring multiple calls and emails, Sabourin dit Choinière was approached by NPR at the state capitol. He declined an interview, stating, "Actually, I don't have time," before leaving the building. He later emailed that he stood by his proposal, asserting, "my position is not hatred."

On April 14, Holocaust Remembrance Day, Sabourin dit Choinière posted a photo of himself presenting the amendment on Facebook with the caption, "ahead of our time."

A Holocaust denier, an international criminal record and a suspicious bottle of baby oil.

NPR found that Rudolf has a criminal record not only in Germany, where Holocaust denial is illegal, but also in the U.S. for reasons unrelated to his activism.

In 2020, Rudolf was convicted of open lewdness and indecent exposure in Pennsylvania. Police found him naked from the waist down at a children's playground around 4 a.m. Local law enforcement was familiar with Rudolf due to previous encounters where he was found swimming nude in a nearby river.

Rudolf claimed he was not naked at the playground but wearing "skimpy" tiger-print shorts for exercise, describing himself as an active triathlete who received workout tips from former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke.

The police officer questioned Rudolf about a bottle of baby oil he had with him. Rudolf stated he used baby oil as his "go-to lotion" and "lubricant" for dry skin from workouts.

A jury found Rudolf guilty, and he lost a subsequent appeal, receiving a sentence of probation.

In 2022, he was charged with trespassing on school grounds and disorderly conduct, later pleading guilty.

Rudolf's criminal record could affect his immigration status in the U.S. He became a lawful permanent resident partly through marriage to an American woman, but the marriage ended in divorce.

The Trump Administration had previously sought to deport pro-Palestinian activists, arguing they promoted antisemitism.

New Hampshire Republicans respond — after NPR's inquiries.

Sabourin dit Choinière, elected in 2024, is closely associated with the state's libertarian "Free State" movement. He has previously received endorsements and high marks from conservative groups like Turning Point Action, National Right to Life, and Americans for Prosperity.

Turning Point Action and New Hampshire Right to Life did not respond to NPR's requests for comment.

The New Hampshire chapter of Americans for Prosperity stated, "As an organization, we unequivocally oppose antisemitism in all forms, and discrimination of any kind is antithetical to everything we represent. The endorsement referenced was made during a previous election cycle. AFP-NH has not issued any endorsements for the current cycle."

Even after the failed proposal, Republican candidate for Congress and state Rep. Brian Cole stated he was "honored" to receive Sabourin dit Choinière's endorsement. Cole later told NPR he was unaware of his colleague's support for Holocaust denial. "Had I known of this prior, I would not have accepted or publicized the endorsement," Cole wrote in an email. "In light of this information, we have rescinded the endorsement. I unequivocally reject Holocaust denial and any form of antisemitism."

New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte, a Republican, stated, "There is no place for antisemitism or hate of any kind in New Hampshire, and criminal Holocaust deniers have no business serving on state commissions."

A growing "cancer" on the MAGA movement.

Prominent far-right commentators known for antisemitic statements, including Candace Owens, Tucker Carlson, and Nick Fuentes, have gained popularity. Survey data suggests antisemitism is particularly prevalent among young conservatives. NPR found that multiple Trump administration officials have links to antisemitic extremists or have promoted antisemitic conspiracy theories.

Some prominent pro-Trump conservatives are raising alarms about growing antisemitism on the political right. Senator Ted Cruz, R-Texas, told the Republican Jewish Coalition, "I have seen more antisemitism in the last 18 months on the right than at any point in my lifetime. And it is growing. And it is gaining real purchase, especially with young people."

Dan Bongino, Trump's former deputy FBI director, described antisemitism as a "cancer" on the MAGA movement, criticizing "this portion of people who claim to be part of our movement and our cause, who think it's edgy or cool to talk about how much they hate the Jews."