Doug Emhoff

{{Short description|Second Gentleman of the United States from 2021 to 2025}}

{{Redirect|Emhoff|the house|Emhoff House|other people with this name|Emhoff (surname)}}

{{Infobox officeholder

| name = Doug Emhoff

| image = File:Douglas Emhoff cropped1.jpg

| caption = Official portrait, 2022

| office = Second Gentleman of the United States

| term_label = In role

| term_start = January 20, 2021

| term_end = January 20, 2025

| vicepresident = Kamala Harris

| predecessor = Karen Pence
(as Second Lady)

| successor = Usha Vance
(as Second Lady)

| party = Democratic

| birth_name = Douglas Craig Emhoff

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1964|10|13}}

| birth_place = Brooklyn, New York, U.S.

| spouse = {{ubl|{{marriage|Kerstin Mackin|1992|2008|end=div}}|{{marriage|Kamala Harris|August 22, 2014}}}}

| children = 2, including Ella

| education = California State University, Northridge (BA)
University of Southern California (JD)

| signature = Doug Emhoff Signature.svg

| module = {{Listen|pos=center|embed=yes|filename=Doug Emhoff celebrates the Passover Seder.ogg|title=Doug Emhoff's voice|type=speech|description=Doug Emhoff celebrates the Passover Seder
Recorded April 12, 2023}}

}}

Douglas Craig Emhoff (born October 13, 1964) is an American lawyer who served as the second gentleman of the United States from 2021 to 2025.{{cite web|title=Douglas Emhoff: Second Gentleman|url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/administration/douglas-emhoff/|publisher=The White House|access-date=January 23, 2021|archive-date=January 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122234231/https://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/douglas-emhoff/|url-status=live}} Married to the 49th vice president of the United States, Kamala Harris, who was the first woman in the role, and the Democratic Party's nominee for president in the 2024 U.S. presidential election, Emhoff was the first second gentleman of the country. He was also the first Jewish spouse of a U.S. vice president.

Emhoff began his career as an entertainment lawyer. He was managing director of Venable's West Coast offices and later became a partner at DLA Piper. He is also a distinguished visiting professor at Georgetown University Law Center.

Early life and education

Douglas Craig Emhoff{{cite web|title=Attorney Licensee Profile: Douglas Craig Emhoff|url=http://members.calbar.ca.gov/fal/Licensee/Detail/151049|publisher=The State Bar of California|access-date=November 10, 2020|archive-date=April 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418223743/http://members.calbar.ca.gov/fal/Licensee/Detail/151049|url-status=live}} was born on October 13, 1964, in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, the son of Jewish parents, Michael and Barbara Emhoff ({{née|Kanzer}}).{{Cite web|last=Rosenberg|first=Amy S.|date=November 20, 2020|title=Second gentleman, first Jew, Jersey-raised: Doug Emhoff is making history|url=https://www.inquirer.com/politics/kamala-harris-husband-doug-emhoff-joe-biden-20201120.html|work=Philadelphia Inquirer|access-date=November 25, 2020|archive-date=November 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120105646/https://www.inquirer.com/politics/kamala-harris-husband-doug-emhoff-joe-biden-20201120.html|url-status=live}} His ancestors moved to the United States from Gorlice, in Austrian Galicia, about 1899 due to persecution.{{Cite web |last=Main |first=Ali |date=2024-07-27 |title=Doug Emhoff shares Harris' personal story at Hmong festival in Wisconsin |url=https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/kamala-harris-trump-election-07-27-24/index.html |access-date=2024-07-28 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=July 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240728041741/https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/kamala-harris-trump-election-07-27-24/index.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Axelrod |first=Toby |date=February 1, 2023 |title=Doug Emhoff's trip to Poland and Germany brings him back to Jewish ancestral roots |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/doug-emhoffs-trip-to-poland-and-germany-brings-him-back-to-jewish-ancestral-roots/ |access-date=2024-07-27 |work=Times of Israel |archive-date=September 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928105706/https://www.timesofisrael.com/doug-emhoffs-trip-to-poland-and-germany-brings-him-back-to-jewish-ancestral-roots/ |url-status=live }} Emhoff has a brother, Andy, and a sister, Jamie.{{cite web|last=Goldstein|first=Jessica M.|date=October 5, 2020|title=Doug Emhoff Is the Good Husband|url=https://www.marieclaire.com/politics/a34099869/doug-emhoff-interview-2020/|website=Marie Claire|access-date=November 5, 2020|archive-date=February 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215005543/https://www.marieclaire.com/politics/a34099869/doug-emhoff-interview-2020/|url-status=live}} From 1969 to 1981, he grew up in Matawan and Old Bridge Township, New Jersey, and attended Cedar Ridge High School.{{cite web|url=https://centraljersey.com/2020/11/12/vice-president-elect-kamala-harris-husband-has-roots-in-matwan-old-bridge/|title=Kamala Harris's husband has roots in Matawan, Old Bridge|publisher=centraljersey.com|date=November 12, 2020|access-date=November 26, 2020|archive-date=November 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201122041504/https://centraljersey.com/2020/11/12/vice-president-elect-kamala-harris-husband-has-roots-in-matwan-old-bridge/|url-status=live}} His family were congregants of Temple Shalom, a Reform synagogue in Aberdeen Township, and Emhoff had his bar mitzvah there in 1977.{{Cite web|last=Freedman|first=Dan|title=Doug Emhoff, The First Second Gentleman|url=https://momentmag.com/doug-emhoff-the-first-second-gentleman/|website=Moment Magazine|date=March 9, 2021 |language=en}} The next summer, in 1978, Emhoff attended Camp Cedar Lake in Milford, Pennsylvania, where he was voted "most athletic" of his division at age 13. When he was 17, he moved with his family to Southern California,{{cite news|last1=Davis|first1=Mike|title=Kamala Harris's husband, Douglas Emhoff, has 'NJ in his veins'|url=https://www.app.com/story/news/politics/2020/08/12/kamala-harris-joe-biden-douglas-emhoff-vice-president/3356770001/|access-date=August 12, 2020|newspaper=Asbury Park Press|date=August 12, 2020}} where he graduated from Agoura High School in Agoura Hills. Emhoff earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication studies from California State University, Northridge, in 1987 and a Juris Doctor from the USC Gould School of Law in 1990.

Career

Emhoff is a litigator focused on media, entertainment, and intellectual property.{{Cite magazine|last=de Guzman|first=Chad|date=July 23, 2024|title=What to Know About Doug Emhoff, Prospective First Gentleman|language=en-US|magazine=Time|url=https://time.com/7001806/doug-emhoff-career-family-life/|access-date=September 25, 2024|archive-date=September 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240925103457/https://time.com/7001806/doug-emhoff-career-family-life/|url-status=live}} He was admitted to the California State Bar in 1990{{Cite news|date=June 3, 2024|title=ICYMI: Los Angeles Lawyer Magazine: A Conversation with the Second Gentleman of the United States|language=en-US|work=The American Presidency Project|url=https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/icymi-los-angeles-lawyer-magazine-conversation-with-the-second-gentleman-the-united-states|access-date=September 25, 2024|archive-date=August 20, 2024|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240820222838/https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/icymi-los-angeles-lawyer-magazine-conversation-with-the-second-gentleman-the-united-states|url-status=live}} and began his career at Pillsbury Winthrop's litigation group. He moved to Belin Rawlings & Badal, a boutique firm, in the late 1990s.

Emhoff opened his own firm with Ben Whitwell in 2000, which was acquired by Venable LLP in 2006. Emhoff became managing director of Venable's West Coast offices.{{cite web|last=Greene|first=Jenna|date=August 13, 2020|title=Westlaw Today Signon|url=https://today.westlaw.com/Document/I59b44f00dda611ea9e9b9b34449fe282/View/FullText.html |access-date=August 19, 2020|website=Westlaw Today}} Among his clients were Walmart, Merck,{{Cite news|last=Saul|first=Stephanie|date=August 17, 2020|title=Doug Emhoff, Kamala Harris's husband, takes a leave of absence from his law firm.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/17/us/elections/doug-emhoff-kamala-harriss-husband-takes-a-leave-of-absence-from-his-law-firm.html|access-date=August 19, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819001927/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/17/us/elections/doug-emhoff-kamala-harriss-husband-takes-a-leave-of-absence-from-his-law-firm.html|url-status=live}} and Dolarian Capital.{{Cite news|last1=Saul|first1=Stephanie|last2=Vogel|first2=Kenneth P.|last3=Hakim|first3=Danny P.|date=September 8, 2020|title=A look at Douglas Emhoff's legal career as he seeks to become the nation's first Second Gentleman.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/08/us/elections/a-look-at-douglas-emhoffs-legal-career-as-he-seeks-to-become-the-nations-first-second-gentleman.html|access-date=September 8, 2020|archive-date=August 15, 2024|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240815092112/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/08/us/elections/a-look-at-douglas-emhoffs-legal-career-as-he-seeks-to-become-the-nations-first-second-gentleman.html|url-status=live}} Emhoff was one of the lawyers representing Taco Bell's former advertising agency TBWA in a chihuahua-centric case.

Emhoff joined DLA Piper as a partner in 2017, working at its Washington, D.C., and California offices.{{cite news|last1=Summers|first1=Juana|date=June 8, 2019|title=Harris's husband takes on growing public role in 2020 race|work=Associated Press|url=https://apnews.com/1b5e33b807fe48fb9d7e7bcc79547af7|access-date=August 11, 2020|archive-date=August 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820090852/https://apnews.com/1b5e33b807fe48fb9d7e7bcc79547af7|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Bonos|first=Lisa|date=August 19, 2020|title=The story of Kamala and Doug, a match made in Hollywood (literally)|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/relationships/doug-emhoff-kamala-harris-husband/2020/08/18/a6c64db6-e15c-11ea-8181-606e603bb1c4_story.html|access-date=August 19, 2020|newspaper=The Washington Post|language=en|archive-date=August 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819180557/https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/relationships/doug-emhoff-kamala-harris-husband/2020/08/18/a6c64db6-e15c-11ea-8181-606e603bb1c4_story.html|url-status=live}} He earned $1.2 million per year partner. Following the announcement that his wife would be Joe Biden's running mate in the 2020 United States presidential election, Emhoff took a leave of absence from the firm. After the Biden–Harris ticket won, the campaign announced Emhoff would permanently leave DLA Piper before Inauguration Day to avoid conflict of interest concerns.{{cite web|date=November 10, 2020|title=The Latest: Biden speaks to leaders of European allies|url=https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-donald-trump-politics-james-anderson-mark-esper-f342a84b930d3573ebaafd185db76021|access-date=November 10, 2020|publisher=Associated Press|archive-date=November 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110163247/https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-donald-trump-politics-james-anderson-mark-esper-f342a84b930d3573ebaafd185db76021|url-status=live}}

In December 2020, Georgetown University Law Center announced that Emhoff would join the school's faculty as a distinguished visitor and fellow of the school's Institute for Technology Law and Policy.{{Cite news |date=2020-12-10 |title=Kamala Harris's Husband Named to Faculty at Georgetown Law |language=en |publisher=Bloomberg News |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-12-10/kamala-harris-s-husband-named-to-faculty-at-georgetown-law |url-access=subscription |access-date=2020-12-11 |archive-date=December 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211060040/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-12-10/kamala-harris-s-husband-named-to-faculty-at-georgetown-law |url-status=live }}

In January 2025, after his wife left office, Emhoff joined Willkie Farr & Gallagher as a partner, splitting his time between LA and New York.{{Cite web |last=Schonfeld |first=Zach |date=January 27, 2025 |title=Doug Emhoff returns to career as private attorney |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/5108523-doug-emhoff-joins-law-firm/ |access-date=January 27, 2025 |website=The Hill}}

Second Gentleman of the United States (2021–2025)

File:S20210825CS-2590 (51644831858).jpg in Tokyo, August 2021]]

In August 2020, Harris was announced as Biden's running mate in the presidential election, making Emhoff the third man in U.S. history to be a spouse of the vice presidential candidate of a major party, after John Zaccaro (husband of Geraldine Ferraro) and Todd Palin (then-husband of Sarah Palin).{{cite news|last=Emmrich|first=Stuart|date=August 13, 2020|title=The 9 Things We Know About Kamala Harris's Husband|work=Vogue|url=https://www.vogue.com/article/nine-things-we-know-about-kamala-harris-husband-douglas-emhoff|access-date=August 15, 2020|archive-date=February 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227112818/https://www.vogue.com/article/nine-things-we-know-about-kamala-harris-husband-douglas-emhoff|url-status=live}}

Emhoff said he filmed the viral "We did it, Joe!" video on November 7, 2020, which captured a phone conversation between Biden and Harris after they learned they had won the election.{{Cite web |last=Lakritz |first=Talia |title=Doug Emhoff wants credit for recording Kamala Harris saying 'We did it, Joe' in the viral 2020 election video |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/kamala-harris-we-did-it-joe-recorded-by-doug-emhoff-2022-8 |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}

When Harris assumed office, Emhoff became the first second gentleman of the United States.{{cite news|last=Edelman|first=Adam|date=August 13, 2020|title=The first 'second gentleman'? Meet Kamala Harris's husband, Doug Emhoff|publisher=NBC News|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/first-second-gentleman-meet-kamala-harris-husband-doug-emhoff-n1236554|access-date=August 15, 2020|archive-date=August 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815021438/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/first-second-gentleman-meet-kamala-harris-husband-doug-emhoff-n1236554|url-status=live}} He is also the first Jewish spouse of a U.S. vice president.{{cite news|last1=Kisken|first1=Tom|date=August 26, 2020|title=Agoura High alumnus could become nation's first 'second gentleman'|work=Ventura County Star|url=https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/local/2020/08/26/who-is-kamala-harris-husband-doug-emhoff-married-agoura-high-school/3415297001/|access-date=August 27, 2020|archive-date=October 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010044126/https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/local/2020/08/26/who-is-kamala-harris-husband-doug-emhoff-married-agoura-high-school/3415297001/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|date=August 13, 2020|title=Douglas Emhoff: Kamala Harris's husband and potential 'second gentleman'|language=en-gb|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-53758915|access-date=August 17, 2020|archive-date=August 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200816221840/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-53758915|url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last=Schor |first=Elana |date=August 12, 2020 |title=Harris brings Baptist, interfaith roots to Democratic ticket |language=en |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/harris-brings-baptist-interfaith-roots-to-democratic-ticket/2020/08/12/2d319e6a-dc57-11ea-b4f1-25b762cdbbf4_story.html |access-date=August 17, 2020 |archive-date=September 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200903200811/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/harris-brings-baptist-interfaith-roots-to-democratic-ticket/2020/08/12/2d319e6a-dc57-11ea-b4f1-25b762cdbbf4_story.html |url-status=live }} Emhoff was popularly labeled a "wife guy", a slang term referring to a man whose fame is owed to his wife (or content posted about his wife), or one who is exceptionally supportive of his wife.{{Cite web |last=North |first=Anna |date=2021-01-22 |title=Doug Emhoff, wife guy extraordinaire |url=https://www.vox.com/22242368/doug-emhoff-kamala-harris-husband-vice-president |access-date=2022-07-24 |website=Vox |language=en |archive-date=2021-01-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131115013/https://www.vox.com/22242368/doug-emhoff-kamala-harris-husband-vice-president |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2021-04-01 |title=Doug Emhoff Is a Certified Wife Guy - Washingtonian |url=https://www.washingtonian.com/2021/04/01/doug-emhoff-is-a-certified-wife-guy/ |access-date=2022-07-25 |archive-date=2022-07-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220725005127/https://www.washingtonian.com/2021/04/01/doug-emhoff-is-a-certified-wife-guy/ |url-status=live }} In 2020, Emhoff himself called himself a wife guy on Twitter.{{Cite tweet|number=1218019697246883840|user=douglasemhoff|title=From one Wife Guy to another Wife Guy...you should be so proud of her my friend.|author=Doug Emhoff}}

In his role as second gentleman, Emhoff focused on equal access to justice and legal representation.{{cite news|last1=Deliso|first1=Meredith|date=November 7, 2020|title=Doug Emhoff set to become 1st second gentleman|url=https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/news/story/vice-president-elect-kamala-harris-husband-doug-emhoff-74076409|work=Good Morning America|language=en|access-date=November 10, 2020|archive-date=November 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110154235/https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/news/story/vice-president-elect-kamala-harris-husband-doug-emhoff-74076409|url-status=live}} He delivered remarks at the annual White House Legal Aid Interagency Roundtable, a roundtable discussion focused on how the federal government could simplify its processes for people seeking legal aid.References:

{{cite news|title=Readout of the First Listening Session of the White House Legal Aid Interagency Roundtable|url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/08/11/readout-of-the-first-listening-session-of-the-white-house-legal-aid-interagency-roundtable/|website=whitehouse.gov|date=August 11, 2021|access-date=February 10, 2023|archive-date=April 22, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250422062654/https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/08/11/readout-of-the-first-listening-session-of-the-white-house-legal-aid-interagency-roundtable/|url-status=live}}
{{cite news|title=Second Gentleman Emhoff and Others Participate in 2022 Legal Aid Interagency Roundtable|url=https://www.c-span.org/program/white-house-event/second-gentleman-emhoff-and-others-participate-in-2022-legal-aid-interagency-roundtable/621533|publisher=C-SPAN|date=December 9, 2022|access-date=February 10, 2023|archive-date=April 22, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250422063418/https://www.c-span.org/program/white-house-event/second-gentleman-emhoff-and-others-participate-in-2022-legal-aid-interagency-roundtable/621533|url-status=live}}
{{cite news|title=Advisory: Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff to Deliver Remarks at 2023 Legal Aid Interagency Roundtable|url=https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/advisory-second-gentleman-douglas-emhoff-deliver-remarks-2023-legal-aid-interagency|work=The American Presidency Project|date=December 4, 2023|access-date=December 4, 2023|archive-date=April 22, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250422063757/https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/advisory-second-gentleman-douglas-emhoff-deliver-remarks-2023-legal-aid-interagency|url-status=live}}
{{cite news|title=Advisory: Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff to Deliver Remarks at 2024 Legal Aid Interagency Roundtable|url=https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/advisory-second-gentleman-douglas-emhoff-deliver-remarks-2024-legal-aid-interagency|work=The American Presidency Project|date=December 6, 2024|access-date=December 4, 2024|archive-date=April 22, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250422064033/https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/advisory-second-gentleman-douglas-emhoff-deliver-remarks-2024-legal-aid-interagency|url-status=live}} Emhoff also undertake private visits to pro bono legal clinics and met with legal aid providers and their clients.{{cite news|last=Cai|first=Sophie|date=November 29, 2022|title=Doug Emhoff steps into his own|url=https://www.axios.com/2022/12/29/doug-emhoff-second-gentleman|website=Axios|language=en|access-date=April 22, 2025|archive-date=April 22, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250422064836/https://www.axios.com/2022/12/29/doug-emhoff-second-gentleman|url-status=live}}

File:Second Gentleman on Father's Day (2024) - 01.jpg

In March 2021, while second gentleman, Emhoff began teaching a course called "Entertainment Law Disputes" at the Georgetown University Law Center. He said he respected educators as he had "learned [that] teaching is really hard", saying he has "so much respect for the teachers out there doing this each and every day."{{cite web|last=Chamlee|first=Virginia|date=March 9, 2021|title=Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff on What He's Learned from His Classroom Day Job|url=https://people.com/politics/doug-emhoff-on-what-hes-learned-in-new-teaching-role/|website=People|access-date=March 12, 2021|archive-date=March 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210311223758/https://people.com/politics/doug-emhoff-on-what-hes-learned-in-new-teaching-role/|url-status=live}}

Emhoff has led the U.S. delegations to several diplomatic events, including the opening ceremony of the 2020 Summer Paralympics in Tokyo and the inaugurations of South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol and Philippine president Bongbong Marcos.{{cite news |last1=Superville |first1=Darlene |title=VP spouse Doug Emhoff to represent US at Paralympic Games in Tokyo |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/vp-spouse-doug-emhoff-to-represent-us-at-paralympic-games-in-tokyo/ |access-date=June 28, 2022 |agency=Associated Press |via=The Times of Israel |date=August 10, 2021 |archive-date=June 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628135209/https://www.timesofisrael.com/vp-spouse-doug-emhoff-to-represent-us-at-paralympic-games-in-tokyo/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |author1=Shim Woo-hyun |title=Yoon makes diplomatic debut with delegates at inauguration |url=https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20220510000799 |access-date=June 28, 2022 |work=The Korea Herald |date=May 10, 2022}}{{cite news |last1=Valmonte |first1=Kaycee |title=Second gentleman Emhoff to lead US delegation to Marcos Jr.'s inauguration |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/06/27/2191236/second-gentleman-emhoff-lead-us-delegation-marcos-jrs-inauguration |access-date=June 28, 2022 |work=The Philippine Star |date=June 27, 2022 |archive-date=June 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627205153/https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/06/27/2191236/second-gentleman-emhoff-lead-us-delegation-marcos-jrs-inauguration |url-status=live }} In July 2022, he traveled to Eugene, Oregon, to participate in the opening ceremonies of the 2022 World Athletics Championships.{{cite web |title=Advisory: Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff to Travel to Oregon |url=https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/advisory-second-gentleman-douglas-emhoff-travel-oregon |website=The American Presidency Project ucsb wordmark black |access-date=26 July 2022 |archive-date=March 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230312231849/https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/advisory-second-gentleman-douglas-emhoff-travel-oregon |url-status=live }} Emhoff was part of the American legation to the 2024 Summer Olympics, attending several competitions and the closing ceremony.{{cite web|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/what-doug-emhoff-says-world-leaders-whispered-to-him-in-paris|title=What Doug Emhoff Says World Leaders Whispered to Him in Paris |author=AJ McDougall |website=The Daily Beast |date=August 12, 2024}}

In June 2023, Emhoff engaged with the Congressional Dads Caucus in a roundtable on Capitol Hill, discussing the Biden administration's family support programs. The discussion stressed the significance of universal family leave and encouraged its utilization. The roundtable's agenda focused on federal strategies to encourage co-parenting, promote paid family and medical leave policies, expand the Child Tax Credit, and improve access to affordable childcare.{{Cite web |last=Semyon |first=Cassie |date=June 14, 2023 |title=Second Gentleman convenes roundtable on family issues ahead of Father's Day |url=https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2023/06/14/doug-emhoff-congress-dads-caucus-father-s-day |access-date=June 28, 2023 |website=Spectrum News NY1 |archive-date=June 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627192423/https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2023/06/14/doug-emhoff-congress-dads-caucus-father-s-day |url-status=live }}

=Combating antisemitism=

File:S20230131CS-0095 (52865344785).jpg, Berlin, January 31, 2023.]]

As the first Jewish spouse of a president or vice president, Emhoff emerged as one of the Biden administration's most prominent faces in the fight against antisemitism. After a November 2022 meeting between former president Donald Trump, Kanye West, and Nick Fuentes, the White House announced that Emhoff would lead a round table on antisemitism on December 7.{{Cite web |last=Daniels |first=Eugene |date=December 6, 2022 |title=Doug Emhoff emerges as the face of Biden's fight against antisemitism |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2022/12/06/doug-emhoff-biden-antisemitism-00072628 |access-date=December 7, 2022 |website=POLITICO |language=en |quote=A few months ago, second gentleman Doug Emhoff asked his team about what more he could do about the rise of antisemitic incidents across the country. The issue had long concerned him. And in private conversations with other Jewish figures, he'd conveyed a desire to do something more forceful about it. His team decided that a roundtable with top officials would be appropriate. A few weeks ago, they started planning for it. But things took a turn around the Thanksgiving break, when news emerged that former President Donald Trump had dined with two notable antisemitic figures: white nationalist Nick Fuentes and Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West. Overnight, the roundtable that Emhoff had been planning became the most pointed administration response to a brewing national controversy. Come Wednesday, when top White House officials and Jewish leaders convene for it, it will further cement a status he never set out to have: one of America's foremost Jewish political figures. |archive-date=December 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206235502/https://www.politico.com/news/2022/12/06/doug-emhoff-biden-antisemitism-00072628 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Scott |first=Eugene |date=December 5, 2022 |title=Second gentleman Doug Emhoff to host roundtable focused on antisemitism |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/12/05/emhoff-antisemitism-ye-musk-white-nationalist/ |access-date=December 7, 2022 |newspaper=The Washington Post |archive-date=December 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206043518/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/12/05/emhoff-antisemitism-ye-musk-white-nationalist/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Ordoñez |first=Franco |date=December 7, 2022 |title=Second gentleman Emhoff says antisemitism has become an epidemic |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/12/07/1141115374/the-white-house-hosts-jewish-leaders-to-discuss-rising-antisemitism |access-date=December 8, 2022 |website=NPR |archive-date=December 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208004932/https://www.npr.org/2022/12/07/1141115374/the-white-house-hosts-jewish-leaders-to-discuss-rising-antisemitism |url-status=live }}

On International Holocaust Remembrance Day in January 2023, Emhoff visited the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland alongside Holocaust survivors. His visit intended to pay tribute to the victims of the Holocaust and to honor survivors. During his time at Auschwitz, Emhoff laid a wreath at the camp's "Wall of Death," where thousands of prisoners were executed, and participated in a memorial service with the survivors in attendance. Harris was not present.{{Cite web |last=Nagle |first=Molly |date=January 27, 2023 |title=Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff tours Auschwitz on Holocaust Remembrance Day |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/gentleman-douglas-emhoff-visit-poland-germany-holocaust-remembrance/story?id=96690172 |access-date=April 14, 2023 |website=ABC News |archive-date=April 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230414052615/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/gentleman-douglas-emhoff-visit-poland-germany-holocaust-remembrance/story?id=96690172 |url-status=live }}

Emhoff was part of the White House team that launched the U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism, the country's first combatting antisemitism strategy, on May 25, 2023.{{Citation |title=Launch of U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism |date=May 25, 2023 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPt8ZWreEjE |access-date=2023-07-24 |language=en |archive-date=July 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724160831/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPt8ZWreEjE |url-status=live }}

In the context of reactions to the Gaza war, Emhoff expressed concern about antisemitism in schools and on college campuses. He stated that conflations of Jewish identity with the actions of the Israeli government had led to increased hostility and threats against Jewish people.{{Cite web |last=Daniels |first=Eugene |date=November 4, 2023 |title=Emhoff: There is an 'antisemitism crisis' on our nation's campuses |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2023/11/04/doug-emhoff-anti-semitism-college-campuses-00125384 |access-date=November 24, 2023 |website=POLITICO |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124183838/https://www.politico.com/news/2023/11/04/doug-emhoff-anti-semitism-college-campuses-00125384 |url-status=live }} He said: "When Jews are targeted because of their beliefs or identity, and when Israel is singled out because of anti-Jewish hatred, that is antisemitism, and it must be condemned."{{cite news |last1=Loop |first1=Emma |title=Doug Emhoff joins fury at university presidents over antisemitism comments |url=https://www.axios.com/2023/12/08/emhoff-antisemitism-university-presidents-jewish |work=Axios |date=December 8, 2023}} Speaking about pro-Palestinian protests on university campuses, Emhoff supported the right to protest, but said that "calls for genocide" and the murder of Jews are "completely unacceptable and must be stopped."{{cite news |last1=Daniels |first1=Eugene |title=Emhoff to meet with Jewish college students at White House |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2024/05/06/doug-emhoff-jewish-college-students-invite-00156207 |work=Politico |date=June 5, 2024}}

Personal life

Emhoff was married to film producer Kerstin Mackin from 1992 to 2008.{{cite news |last=Goldstein |first=Jessica M. |date=October 5, 2020 |title=Doug Emhoff Is the Good Husband |url=https://www.marieclaire.com/politics/a34099869/doug-emhoff-interview-2020/ |access-date=November 5, 2020 |work=Marie Claire |archive-date=February 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215005543/https://www.marieclaire.com/politics/a34099869/doug-emhoff-interview-2020/ |url-status=live }} They have two children together, Cole and Ella.{{Cite magazine |last=Harris |first=Kamala |date=May 10, 2019 |title=Sen. Kamala Harris on Being 'Momala' |url=https://www.elle.com/culture/career-politics/a27422434/kamala-harris-stepmom-mothers-day/ |access-date=August 12, 2020 |magazine=Elle |archive-date=August 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812185005/https://www.elle.com/culture/career-politics/a27422434/kamala-harris-stepmom-mothers-day/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Friedman |first=Gabe |date=August 11, 2020 |title=Kamala Harris is Joe Biden's VP pick – here's what Jewish voters should know |url=https://www.jta.org/2020/08/11/politics/kamala-harris-is-joe-bidens-vp-pick-heres-what-jewish-voters-should-know |access-date=August 12, 2020 |publisher=Jewish Telegraphic Agency |language=en-US |archive-date=February 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227163444/https://www.jta.org/2020/08/11/politics/kamala-harris-is-joe-bidens-vp-pick-heres-what-jewish-voters-should-know |url-status=live }} Although Emhoff and Mackin's divorce was amicable, and they have since referred to each other as "friends", Emhoff has acknowledged that he had an extramarital affair with one of his children's teachers and that the affair contributed to the breakup of the marriage.{{Cite web |last=Dovere |first=Edward-Isaac |date=August 3, 2024 |title=Emhoff acknowledges affair during first marriage after tabloid report |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/03/politics/doug-emhoff-acknowledges-affair-during-first-marriage/index.html |access-date=August 3, 2024 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=August 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240803204935/https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/03/politics/doug-emhoff-acknowledges-affair-during-first-marriage/index.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last1=Bensinger |first1=Ken |last2=Rutenberg |first2=Jim |date=August 3, 2024 |title=Doug Emhoff, Husband of Kamala Harris, Acknowledges Long-Ago Affair |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/03/us/politics/doug-emhoff-affair.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240804032232/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/03/us/politics/doug-emhoff-affair.html |archive-date=August 4, 2024 |access-date=August 5, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

In 2013, Emhoff was set up on a blind date with Kamala Harris, who was attorney general of California at the time.{{Cite web |last=Wurzburger |first=Andrea |date=November 15, 2023 |title=From a Blind Date to the White House: A Look at Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff's Loving Relationship |url=https://people.com/politics/kamala-harris-doug-emhoff-relationship-photos/ |access-date=August 5, 2024 |website=People |language=en |archive-date=August 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240805030729/https://people.com/politics/kamala-harris-doug-emhoff-relationship-photos/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last1=Wright |first1=Jasmine |last2=Stracqualursi |first2=Veronica |date=January 15, 2021 |title=Harris and Emhoff recall first date: 'It felt like we had known each other forever' |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/15/politics/kamala-harris-doug-emhoff-first-date-cnntv/index.html |access-date=August 5, 2024 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=January 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117231947/https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/15/politics/kamala-harris-doug-emhoff-first-date-cnntv/index.html |url-status=live }} They became engaged in March 2014, and were married at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse on August 22, 2014.{{cite news |last=Siders |first=David |date=August 25, 2014 |title=Kamala Harris married in Santa Barbara ceremony |url=https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article2607685.html |url-access=registration |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216062322/https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article2607685.html |archive-date=February 16, 2015 |access-date=August 25, 2014 |work=The Sacramento Bee}} Harris's younger sister, Maya, officiated at their wedding. As of November 2024, Emhoff and Harris had an estimated net worth of $8{{nbs}}million.{{cite news |date=November 4, 2024 |title=Here's How Much Kamala Harris Is Worth |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kylemullins/2024/11/04/heres-how-much-vice-president-kamala-harris-is-worth-doug-emhoff/ |access-date=March 5, 2025 |work=Forbes}} The couple temporarily resided at Blair House, the official guest house of the president, while the official residence of the vice president, Number One Observatory Circle, underwent maintenance and renovation at the beginning of Harris's term.{{cite news |last=Koncius |first=Jura |date=January 22, 2021 |title=Vice President Harris to stay at Blair House while official residence undergoes repairs |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/home/kamala-harris-staying-at-blair-house/2021/01/22/81769922-5ccb-11eb-8bcf-3877871c819d_story.html |access-date=January 24, 2021 |newspaper=The Washington Post |archive-date=February 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210217124323/https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/home/kamala-harris-staying-at-blair-house/2021/01/22/81769922-5ccb-11eb-8bcf-3877871c819d_story.html |url-status=live }} They also maintain homes in San Francisco; Washington, D.C.; and the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles.{{cite web |last=Bose |first=Debanjali |date=October 12, 2020 |title=Take a Look inside Kamala Harris's multimillion-dollar real estate portfolio, which includes property in California and Washington, DC |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/kamala-harris-real-estate-california-washington-home-photos-2020-8 |access-date=January 18, 2021 |work=Business Insider |archive-date=January 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125121142/https://www.businessinsider.com/kamala-harris-real-estate-california-washington-home-photos-2020-8 |url-status=live }}