Trump’s Religious Freedom Nominee Left In Limbo As Persecution Rages Worldwide

The nominee for Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, former North Carolina Rep. Mark Walker, has waited more than seven months for Senate confirmation, even as parties involved stressed the position's importance to the Daily Caller.

President Donald Trump nominated former North Carolina Republican Walker filled the role on April 10, but the role remains empty in November. The position remains in limbo, even though the president appointed Nigeria was designated a “country of particular concern” in late October, citing the killing of thousands of Christians by Islamic extremists in the country.

Back in April, Trump pointed to Walker's service in the Air Force, experience as a pastor and his time as a leader in House leadership and on committees during his time in Congress.

Walker thanked Trump for the nomination. “Religious expression is the foundation of human rights, and whether on a college campus in New York or in sub-Saharan Africa, I will fight tirelessly for those persecuted who dare to live their faith,” he wrote. (RELATED: GOP Falls Straight into Democrats' Carefully Laid Trap)

Former Republican Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback, who served as President Donald Trump's envoy-at-large for international religious freedom from February 2018 to January 2021, said Wednesday that a vacancy in such an “important position” is significantly slowing progress on human rights, democracy and national security.

Thank you @realDonaldTrump for the honor of being selected as Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom. As a former minister and also serving in the Congress leadership, I keep my eyes open to the bad actors and regions committing these atrocities… pic.twitter.com/yANMbbI0dI

— Mark Walker (@RepMarkWalker) April 10, 2025

Brownback told The Caller that Walker has his full support, pointing to Walker's background, key relationships in Washington and around the world, and “a kind soul.” He added that Walker is a “well-formed person” who he believes will do a good job.

Brownback is not alone. Dr. Ben Carson, vice chairman of the Religious Freedom Commission, as well as leaders of several churches and religious freedom organizations emphasized their support for Walker's candidacy in an Oct. 29 statement. letter Trump

“Around the world, people of faith are suffering relentless persecution, imprisonment and death,” they wrote, arguing that Walker's previous role as a minister and congressional experience in intelligence and counterterrorism matters made him qualified for the role.

“We are eager for Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch to give priority to Ambassador-designate Walker's nomination at the committee's next hearing,” the letter said.

White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly issued a statement to the caller. “President Trump has historically focused his efforts on promoting religious freedom and combating anti-Semitism. He wants all of his nominees confirmed as quickly as possible, including Mark Walker, whose role will be critical to protecting Americans of faith,” she said.

Brownback, who served as a Republican senator from Kansas several years before his ambassadorship, shared with the Caller what it was like to be on both sides of such a nomination.

Brownback said his nomination took a similar time frame, noting that he was nominated months after Trump's first inauguration. He added that the Senate only approved it in January next year. He took up this position in February 2018.

Because two republicans abstained With the vote for Brownback, Democrats were able to force a tie despite the slim GOP majority, requiring former President Mike Pence to cast the tie-breaking vote. Walker's path to confirmation is also in limbo, despite Republicans holding a majority in the Senate.

Brownback told The Caller that despite the bipartisan nature of the position and the Republican majority, Walker's confirmation was delayed due to Senate rules and political party affiliation.

He explained that if a candidate doesn't get 60 votes, the “precious commodity” of Senate time must be spent pushing the nomination forward, adding that it only takes one person to hold up the entire process.

A spokesman for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee issued a statement to the caller. “Chairman Risch has been a strong leader on religious freedom issues. The committee is responsible for nearly 300 nominations under each administration,” the spokesman said.

“There is an important and complex candidate vetting process that requires close coordination with my colleagues and the White House,” they continued. “When this nomination is ready for hearing, it will be announced.”

The Religious Freedom Act of 1998, signed by former President Bill Clinton, created the position of ambassador at large to the State Department. Although Brownback has historically been used as a tool of Congress, he said Trump has made international religious freedom a priority of his administration.

Brownback told The Caller that the ambassador-at-large position is a vital tool in the fight against authoritarian regimes and dictators around the world who have “become very sophisticated in controlling religious people.”

Brownback pointed to restrictions on religious freedom imposed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), and he wrote a book on the topic. He also testified at a Senate hearing on the topic on Thursday.

Brownback argued that the ambassador-at-large serves as the administration's “specialist on critical human rights and national security issues” as the CCP has increased surveillance of religious populations and exported that ability abroad. (RELATED: Nicki Minaj Passionately Defends Christians at the UN)

“For China [the freedom of religion is] existential threat; for us, it is the fundamental building block of a free society,” Brownback said, adding that the world needs Walker “inside the administration and traveling around the world.”

Walker did not respond to the Daily Caller's request for comment.