Protestant News

USCIRF Begs Trump to Nominate an Ambassador at Large for Religious Freedom

The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is pressing President Donald Trump to nominate an Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom. The position has remained vacant since Mark Walker's 2025 nomination expired without a Senate vote. The call was issued...

Crusaders Call Team

22 May 2026 — 1 min read

Vicky Hartzler Says the State Department Cannot Defend Persecuted Believers Without a Confirmed Ambassador as the Position Sits Vacant

The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is pressing President Donald Trump to nominate an Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom. The position has remained vacant since Mark Walker's 2025 nomination expired without a Senate vote. The call was issued on 16 May 2026.

"The role of Ambassador at Large for IRF plays a critical role in advancing freedom of religion or belief abroad," USCIRF Chair Vicky Hartzler declared.

Why a Confirmed US Ambassador at Large for Religious Freedom Matters Right Now

The position leads the State Department's Office of International Religious Freedom, established under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998. With the office empty, the United States has been operating without a chief diplomatic voice for persecuted believers across the globe.

USCIRF is also pushing the State Department to redesignate China as a Country of Particular Concern over its "Sinicization" campaign targeting Christians, Uyghur Muslims, and Tibetan Buddhists. Cuba is flagged for harassment and arbitrary arrests of religious believers. North Korea and Iran remain on the recommended CPC list. The unfilled Ambassador post weakens America's ability to wield religious freedom diplomacy in any of these contexts.

The Crusader's Opinion

The Trump administration has done substantial work on the religious liberty front, the DOJ task force report, the FACE Act enforcement reversal, the executive order on anti Christian bias. But the failure to confirm an Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom is a real gap. China is rewriting Bibles. North Korea is executing converts. Iran is hanging Christian pastors. America cannot lead on religious freedom diplomacy with an empty office. Trump must nominate. The Senate must confirm. Christians must demand both.

Take Action

Read: The full USCIRF issue update
Contact: The White House urging an immediate Ambassador at Large nomination
Contact: Your senator demanding swift confirmation when nomination arrives
Donate: Religious liberty advocacy groups like ADF International
Pray: For persecuted believers in China, Cuba, Iran, and North Korea

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