President Donald Trump on Tuesday nominated Jane “Cissie” Lynch, granddaughter of evangelist Billy Graham, to serve as the US Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom, she announced on social media.
“I would consider it a great honour and privilege to do so,” said Lynch, adding: “If confirmed by the Senate, please pray that I would serve with excellence and make the most of every opportunity to protect our most precious and fundamental right – and one that far too many people around the world still live without – freedom of religion.”
The role of Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom was created in 1998 as part of the International Religious Freedom Act. The ambassador acts as the “principal adviser to the President and the Secretary of State regarding matters affecting religious freedom abroad”.
The ambassador reports to the Secretary of State and has the authority to “coordinate international religious freedom policies” in the US government, according to the website of the Religious Freedom Institute (RFI), a non-profit organisation.
The post has been vacant since January 2025. President Trump previously nominated Mark Walker for the role, but his nomination was not confirmed by the Senate. Isaac Six is currently serving in an acting capacity.
Lynch’s nomination was praised by RFI president David Trimble.
“Our world is afflicted by an unprecedented scourge of religious persecution today. We at RFI understand the vital role the International Religious Freedom Ambassador can and should play in U.S. foreign policy, and we stand ready to support Jane Lynch as she prepares, with the Senate’s approval, to assume the responsibilities of America’s chief diplomat for religious freedom,” said Trimble.
He continued: “The Senate should enter into the forthcoming confirmation process for Ms Lynch’s nomination with due diligence and expediency.”
Lynch has a history of supporting Christian and religious freedom causes. She was previously on the Executive Evangelical Advisory Board of President Trump’s Faith Advisory Council and is involved with Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Samaritan’s Purse is a Christian charitable association that provides disaster relief.
Lynch’s father, Franklin Graham, said his daughter was “uniquely qualified” for the role of ambassador at large and has been a “student of this issue for many years”. Franklin Graham is the president of Samaritan’s Purse.
“She has a broad worldview and knowledge of the issues facing religious freedom today. If confirmed by the Senate, she will bring a passion for defending religious freedom to this office. I couldn’t be more proud of her,” he said.
