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Trump appoints former North Carolina congressman to lead Office of International Religious Freedom

Trump appoints former North Carolina congressman to lead Office of International Religious Freedom

Yahoo12-04-2025
(WGHP) — Former pastor and U.S. Rep. Mark Walker, who represented North Carolina's 6th Congressional District from 2014 to 2020, will serve as Ambassador-at-Large for the Office of International Religious Freedom, according to a post made to his X account.
On Thursday, Walker released the following statement reacting to the selection.
Thank you @realDonaldTrump for the honor of being selected to serve as Ambassador at Large Nomination of International Religious Freedom. As a former minister, along with serving in Congressional leadership, I'm open-eyed to the bad actors and regions committing these atrocities against people of faith. I know President Trump is a defender of faith evidenced by his bold statement on religious liberty at the United Nations, 'Today, with one clear voice, the United States of America calls upon the nations of the world to end religious persecution.' I await the Senate confirmation process and look forward to working with VP Vance, Susie Wiles, Secretary Rubio, Director Ratcliffe and the incredible team @POTUS has assembled. Religious expression is the foundation of human rights and, whether it's a college campus in New York or Sub-Saharan Africa, I'll be relentless in fighting for those targeted who dare to live out their faith. I'm grateful to my beautiful wife and family for their support. May God provide the path and may we have the courage to follow. Let's get to work, Mr. President.
@RepMarkWalker, X
According to its website, the IRF Office 'promotes universal respect for freedom of religion or belief for all as a core objective of U.S. foreign policy.'
In this role, Walker will 'advance the right to freedom of religion abroad, to denounce the violation of that right, and to recommend appropriate responses by the United States Government when this right is violated, integrate United States international religious freedom policies and strategies into the foreign policy efforts of the United States,' and other duties.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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