USCIRF Welcomes Nominations to Advance International Religious Freedom and Combat Antisemitism

USCIRF Welcomes Nominations to Advance International Religious Freedom and Combat Antisemitism

Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) welcomes President Donald J. Trump’s nominations of former Congressman Mark Walker as U.S. Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom (IRF) and Yehuda Kaploun as Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism. 

“USCIRF is pleased to see the White House has addressed our recommendation to quickly nominate well-qualified individuals for the International Religious Freedom Ambassador and the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism,” said USCIRF Chair Stephen Schneck. “The nominations announced yesterday are important steps in advancing the human right of freedom of religion or belief and confronting the rising tide of antisemitism. USCIRF congratulates both nominees and looks forward to working with their respective offices.”

The Ambassador at Large position was established by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (IRFA) and is the principal executive branch official working on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) issues. The IRF Ambassador also serves as an ex officio member of USCIRF. The position of Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism has the rank of Ambassador and was established by the U.S. Department of State to comply with the Global Anti-Semitism Review Act of 2004. Both positions require Senate confirmation.

“The IRF Ambassador and Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism are vital to representing the ideas for which America stands, as it seeks to advance equality and FoRB around the world,” said USCIRF Vice Chair Meir Soloveichik. “USCIRF calls for a speedy confirmation process to fill these two statutory positions and looks forward to working closely with the new ambassadors upon their confirmation.” 

USCIRF published a factsheet in December 2024 on key political appointments within the U.S. government that are most relevant to international religious freedom. USCIRF reiterates its recommendations in the 2025 Annual Report for the Administration to fill open positions including the Special Envoy for North Korean Human Rights Issues and the Special Coordinator on Tibetan Issues. The Commission also calls for the White House to appoint a Special Advisor for IRF on the National Security Council.

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan legislative branch agency established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief.