October 16, 2025

Shalom Alliance condemns in the strongest possible terms the hateful, racist, and antisemitic language exposed in leaked group chats involving Vermont State Senator Sam Douglass (R-Orleans) and his wife, Brianna Douglass, a national committee member of the Vermont Young Republicans. We join Vermont leaders and other organizations in calling on Senator Douglass and Ms. Douglass to resign from their public roles immediately. The trust required for public service is no longer intact.

The comments in this chat targeted Jews, Black Americans, LGBTQ+ individuals, and others. Senator Douglass and his wife made particularly ugly remarks about both Jewish and Indian individuals. These are not just offensive comments. They are dangerous. They reflect a worldview that dehumanizes entire groups of people based on identity. It displays a pattern of bigotry that has no place in any political party, or anywhere in Vermont or in the U.S.

We are grateful to Governor Phil Scott, Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Baruth, House Speaker Jill Krowinski, Senate Majority Leader Kesha Ram Hinsdale, Senate Minority Leader Scott Beck, and other Republican and Democratic leaders across the state who have spoken clearly and forcefully in response. Their condemnation and calls for resignation send an important message that this behavior will not be normalized or tolerated in Vermont. The dignity and safety of Jewish Vermonters and all marginalized communities must be protected by those who hold the trust of public office.