The US urgently needs a confirmed ambassador for religious freedom |
The US urgently needs a confirmed ambassador for religious freedom
There is a Spanish pun that cuts to the heart of accountability: “El que tiene tienda, que atienda.” It is loosely translated as “He who keeps a shop must mind it.” If you have taken on a responsibility, you must see it through.
The U.S. has taken on exactly such a responsibility when it comes to international religious freedom. It is undeniable that religious freedom is a priority for this administration, but in order to effectively advocate for our persecuted brothers and sisters, that responsibility demands urgent, confirmed leadership.
The International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 mandates a Senate-confirmed ambassador-at-large for International Religious Freedom, a senior diplomat carrying the full weight of the U.S. government, empowered to engage foreign heads of state, build international coalitions and ensure that the cause of conscience is not quietly traded away for other diplomatic interests. That position needs to be filled now.
Consider what just happened. In April 2025, President Trump nominated former Rep. Mark Walker (R-N.C.) to become ambassador-at-large. When the nomination stalled in the Senate and ultimately expired, Trump pivoted to appoint Walker as principal adviser on Global Religious Freedom, a non-confirmed role designed to keep the work moving in the absence of a confirmed ambassador.
It was a practical solution to a frustrating problem, but Walker’s term in that role ended last month. There is now no one, confirmed or otherwise, leading things on behalf of the administration. The shop is not merely understaffed. The lights are off.
The need to fill this position is not based on an abstraction.........