Trump Nominates Cissie Graham Lynch as Ambassador for International Religious Freedom

President Donald Trump has nominated Cissie Graham Lynch, the daughter of Reverend Franklin Graham and granddaughter of the late Reverend Billy Graham, to take on the role of ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom.

This nomination was included in a broader list of appointments sent to the U.S. Senate by the White House on Monday. Franklin Graham expressed his pride and support for his daughter, describing her as “uniquely qualified” for the task ahead.

“Cissie is uniquely qualified for this—she has traveled the world and has been a student of this issue for many years. She possesses a broad worldview and has a solid grasp of the current challenges related to religious freedom,” Franklin Graham mentioned in a post on X. “If the Senate confirms her, she will bring a passion for protecting religious freedom to this role. I couldn’t be prouder, and I ask for prayers for wisdom and strength as she takes on this responsibility.”

Lynch acknowledged her nomination in her own post on X, highlighting the honor and privilege she would feel in this position.

“If confirmed by the Senate, I would appreciate your prayers for me to serve with excellence and fully embrace every opportunity to protect what I consider our most essential right—freedom of religion—something many around the world are still deprived of,” she stated.

Cissie Graham Lynch, while being prominently recognized as part of the Graham family and for her involvement with Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, has also established herself as an author and speaker. She hosts a podcast titled “Fearless” and has participated in events such as the Rededicate 250 prayer gathering, marking America’s 250th anniversary, and the 2020 Republican National Convention.

Her nomination now awaits Senate approval before she can officially take on the role. Currently, the Senate comprises 53 Republicans and 47 Democrats, suggesting she could secure confirmation even if only Republican votes support her.

This nomination follows the Trump administration’s earlier attempt to appoint Mark Walker, a former representative from North Carolina, who was unable to gain Senate confirmation before 2025. Walker has since been appointed to another role in the State Department, serving as the principal adviser on global religious freedom.

If she assumes the role of ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom, Lynch would oversee the State Department’s Office of International Religious Freedom and act as a key adviser to both the Secretary of State and the President on matters of religious freedom globally. This position was established in 1998 through the International Religious Freedom Act.